F 129 

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'Bhe 

Schenectadian 

Representing the Municipal 

Industrial, Financial, Commercial, Educational 

and General Public Interests of 

Schenedady 

The Great Western Gateway 




Issued for the J^ •*••«' 

BOARD OF TRADE 

Schenectady, N.Y. 
Nineteen - fourteen 
By Ben S. Henry » 



"When men have a powerful desire 
and get together for its achievement, 
big things will be done." Schenecta- 
dians are today getting together to 
push to successful conclusion the move- 
ment for the construction of a bridge 
and viaduct over the Mohawk River 
that will give a direct western approach 
and outlet commensurate with the 
city's size and urgent needs. When 
The Great Western Gateway has be- 
come an accomplished fact, Schenec- 
tady vsdll stand upon the threshold of 
the greatest era of its expansion. 

BEN S. HENRY 



SCHENECTADY 

The Only City in the World so Named 




(Photo by ni.i.-i-iis Bros.) 



Scht-iu-clady's Crcal While ll'u 



Schenectadian 



Portraying 

The Advantages, Attradions and Opportunities 



of the 



Electric City 



Issued for the 

BOARD OF TRADE 
Schenedlady, N. Y. 

Copynght. 1914. by Benjamin S. Henry 



r ' ^ / 




liimcs F. Houkcr, C,'iiiptroiu-i\ .(,'., ..,, .> . . 
Pn'sidi-iit of the Board of Trade 



FOREWORD 



Schenectady, the most beautiful, lieahhful 
and rai)idly growing industrial city of the east, 
looks forward with confidence to the future. 
This great nation of ours in a couple of years 
will enjoy unexampled prosperity and ex- 
jK'ricnce a re\ival of business and industry 
that will be both startling and pleasing. 
Schenectady, with its vast industries, will re- 
ceive a great benefit and reap a rich reward 
in this general business revival. It will mean 
for this city the steady employment of thou- . 
sand> on thousands of skilled mechanics, 
workmen and workwomen ; it will mean more 
houses, more business blocks — in short, 
Prosperitv ! 

The deepening of the Hudson, the opening 
of the Barge Canal and the completion of the 
Great \\estern Gateway across the Mohawk 
at Schenectady mean much for the future 
growth, beauty and welfare of the city. 

We are now developing a very beautiful and 
comprehensive park system, consisting of sev- 
eral parks, a number of smaller "breathing 
places," and the beautifying of the river front. 



Schenectady is fortunate in having many 
social clubs and many charitable and frater- 
nal organizations that are a distinct lieneht to 
the community. It is the home of Union 
College, the venerable educational institution 
which, under the able guardianship of its 
president. Dr. Richmond, is growing yearly, 
and growing very fast. ( )ur public school 
system is considered a model, not only by the 
State of New York, but by other states. 

Schenectady possesses k large Board of 
Trade, that is r. force in many fields of activ- 
ity for the suijstaiUial lienefit of the city. 

The residential districts of Schenectady 
are beautiful, and are becoming more so every 
^ear. The well-kept lawns, the neat houses, 
the homes of architectural beauty, the broad 
streets, the magnificent trees and the absolute 
cleanliness everywhere noticeable tend to make 
this a most attractive city in which to live. 
l.\Mh:S F, HOOKER. 




Horace If. Raymond 
Seerelary of the Board of Trade 

The Board of Trade nuist work and strive 
for the best interests of the city, and of its 
members. On such a body as ours rests a 
great responsibility. 

HORACE W. RAYMOND. 



>CI.A393018 



DEC 15 1914 




(Photo hy While) 



State Street—Part <if the Business Seelion 



SCHENECTADY T/]e Western Gateway. 



The name of Schenectady stands unique in 
geograi)liic nomenclature. It is the only city 
of that name in the world. It follows, there- 
fore, that in adopting a lofty ideal of civic life 
and in "building her future to the best en- 
deavor and accomplishment of her whole 
citizenship." in striving to make herself unique 
not only in name, but in the high character of 
her nnmicipal policies, public improvements 
and industrial conditions, there is no possi- 
bility of other cities, by any confusion of 
names, receiving credit for her achievements. 
Conversely, if Schenectady throws herself 
open to adverse criticism she cannot hope to 
escaj)!- full responsibility in the eyes of the 
world. I'.Ht .Schenectady has given hostage 
to her ideais. to the spirit of progress, and is 
unalterably pledged to advance toward the ful- 
fillment of her destiny. 

The fact that within the hitter decades of 
the nineteenth century the Schenectady of 
todav had "arrived" is impressed upon the 
mind by the cold, unprejudiced figures of the 
United States census reports, that show a city 
of i9,yo2 inhabitants in 1890 bounding for- 
ward to a population of 72,826 in 1910. A 
gain of 12,000 in the succeeding two years is 
indicated by the postal census of 1912. and it 
is a conservative estimate to place the present 
population near the 100.000 mark. The under- 
lying' causes of this growth are not far to 
seek. They are to be found in the strategic 
advantages of the situation for manufactur- 
ing purposes, in the excellence of the trans- 
portation facilities at hand, in the attractive- 
ness of an environment that invites home- 



liuilding. and. al)ove all. in the broad-visioned 
alertness of the city's Inisiness leaders. Such 
influences, making possible the fir.st location 
of the American Locomotive Company, the 
(General Electric Company and other manu- 



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Board of Trade Christmas Tree, Crescent Park 




.\t-ward I'iaic 

facturing interests in the city, have continued 
to be operative as factors in fostering the 
expansion of these varied industries until, in 
their present magnitude, they give employ- 
ment to 30,000 of Schenectady's wage-earn- 
ers, whose weekly pay envelopes contain, 
under normal conditions. approximately 
$500,000. 

Population statistics, however informative, 
can do little other than convey an idea of the 
relative importance of the dot that Schenec- 
tady now makes on the map of progress. A 
brief survey of the city's advancement in other 
directions — in municipal housekeeping, public 
institutions and commercial endeavor — will 
prove more enlightening. 

LOCATION 

Fronting upon the ^lohawk Ri\er, where 
that historic stream, in a sweeping curve, 
turns from its easterly to a northerly course 
toward its confluence with the Hudson, at 
Cohoes. Schenectady occupies a crescent- 
shaped area of about eight square miles. The 
ground rises gradually from the river front 
to the low hill crests, giving excellent natural 
drainage and a to])ographical conformation 
lending itself admirably to the laying-out of 
attractive streets and boulevards and the lo- 
cation of homes in the most healthful and 
pleasant environment. 

STREETS 
Schenectady has at the present time approx- 
imately 70 miles of paved streets, of different 
types of modern paving, designed to meet the 
varying traffic requirements in the several sec- 
tions of the city. Asphalt predominates, but 
bitulithic ( or stone-filled block asphalt ) , 
macadam, brick, cobblestone and granite are 
also employed. In addition to these paved 
streets, there is a total length of about 55 miles 
of highways within the corporation limits now 
graded or soon to be in process of grading, 
bringing the grand total up to 125 miles of 
streets accepted by the city. This mileage, 
outside of the business center, embraces park- 
like boulevards and wide, tree-arched avenues 
that, winding over gentle slo])es, reveal at 
every turn new vistas of beautiful homes, sur- 



rounded by spacious lawns, shade trees and 
iianks of flowers and shrubbery. Xor are 
these several residential sections remote from 
the heart of the city's business life. The effi- 
cient trolley service of the Schenectady Rail- 
way Company brings these sections, as well as 
the out-lying suburbs, within a few minutes 
of the shopping districts of State. Centre and 
Jay streets. It is along these last named 
thoroughfares that are located the large de- 
jiartment stores and other shops in all lines of 
merchandising, that ha\e built up Schenec- 
tady's reputation as the foremost trading and 
shopping center within a rafiius of fiftv miles. 

THE GREAT WHITE WAY 
To Schenectady belongs the distinction of 
being one of the first cities of the coiuitry to 
abolish railway grade crossings. It was, 
moreover, among the earliest, outside of New 
York, to recognize the value of a "Great White 
\\ ay" as an agency of business development. 
The plan of adequately lighting State Street 
had its beginning as the result of the individ- 
ual efforts of the merchants. Later taken up 
Ijy the city, a uniform light of the boulevard 
type was adopted, and State .Street, through 
the whole shopping section, is now nightly 
ablaze with light and astir with life. The in- 
stallation of this lighting scheme has not only 
added greatly to the attractiveness of the 
street, but has proved highly profitable in a 
twofold sense: it has been a large factor in 
increasing property \alues and has ser\ed to 
kee]i trade at home. 

PROGRESS IN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS 

During recent years Schenectad_\-'s engineer- 
ing department has been active in working 
out and putting into execution comprehensive 
plans for many public improvements. These 
include street extensions and pa\ing. park- 
ways and parks, greater efficiency in the water 
supply and sewage systems and the construc- 
tion of a sewage disposal plant. The plans 
adopted have been designed not only to serve 
the city's immediate needs, but with the view 
of meeting future conditions as well. 

Obtained by means of artisian wells from 
springs deep underground. Schenectady's 




I.ciii'.v and Avon Knads 



abundant wati-r >U|ii)ly is un-iir|)a>scil fur 
purity. I'Ik' source uf supply is near l\oller- 
daiu. just west of tlic city. Improvements on 
a lart^e scale are now under way. ]>ro\idins^ 
new steel mains of larger diameter, additional 
high-pressure puiups at tiie Rotterdam station, 
and other up-to-date devices that will gi\e 
greatly increased fire i)rotection an 1 a conse- 
quent lowering of tiie fire insurance rate. It 
is proposed, also, to construct an underground 
reservoir of i ^.ooo.otx) g.allons capiicitv on 
Bevis Hill, ■ 

A new sewage disposal |ilant has l)een con- 
structed at a cost of over $230,000 that em- 
bodies the most approved ideas for the scien- 



of ;ircliitectnre, its facade, with a colonnade 
of graceful and stately cohunns, is impressive 
in the beauty and dignity of its treatment, and 
the building as a wliole is admirably ])lanned 
for its purpose. 

The rostol'llce. at the cornci' of j.iy and 
Libert v Streets, is another ]Jiililic building of 
pleasing architecture, both as to cxtericjr and 
interior. It is of modern construction in 
ever\- respect, and is e(|ui])ped for the most 
ex])edilions and ell'icient handling of the mails. 

riie t h\ llall, built in iXSi, on Jay and 
l''ranklin Streets, h.as long since proved in- 
.•i(lei|n;ile for the increasing neeils of the city's 
adniiiiisirativ e olTices. .\n Anne.K, adjoining 




(Phot. I hy ll'Inl,-) 



1.. 



Street— The lUlis Reside 



tific treatment of sewage. It has a maximum 
capacity calculated to meet all requirements 
of a largely increased population. The thor- 
oughly modern and sanitary method of treat- 
ment is such that there are no oiifensive odors 
nor unsightly features in the plant itself, and 
it is. therefore, in nowise detrimental to the 
neighborhood in which it is situated. The 
city is also provided with a modern equipment 
for garbage collection and disposal. 



Schenectady's reputation is builded upon the 
solid foundation of accomplishment. 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS 

Schenectady's County Building, occupying a 
commanding position facing Crescent Park, 
is a structure that has recenty been erected at 
a cost, inclusive of the County Jail, of $700,- 
cxx). An adaptation of the Renaissance period 



the older edifice, has also been outgrown, and 
several departments are now located in nearby 
oHice buildings. 

The Public Library is housed in a beauti- 
ful and commodious building standing on a 
grassv terrace facing Union Street, adjacent 
to the Cam[)us of Union University. The 




l-i: 










State Armory 




Public Library 





J. Teller Schoolcraft, Mayor of Schenectady 



Commissioner of Public Safety W. W. Wemple 




City Hall 





City Hall Annex 



Corporation Counsel Edzi'ard D. Cutler 





r.)i()i/y Clfi-k George C. Mo<)n 



Countx JudjU- IhiiiicI Xayltni. Jr. 




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Surrogate A. M. I'cddcr 




District Attorney 
A. r. Blessing 



UlUI,- .-I I (/\ I ,iui-t 

Mariin H Stuxuj 



John ./. Mi Mullen 
Fulice Justice 




(Photo by White) 



County Court House 




(Fholo hx White) 



Post Office 



purchase of the plot was made possible by a 
generous gift from the General Electric Com- 
pany. The building was completed, at a cost 
of $50,000, in 1903, and was opened to the 
public in the following year. With a shelving 
capacity for 50,000 books, the library now pos- 
sesses upward of 34,000 volumes, including a 
reference collection covering a wide range of 
subjects and books for general circulation in 
all departments of literature. It is also pro- 
vided with a liberal representation of maga- 
zines and technical and trade periodicals. 
Branch loan libraries and reading rooms, 
established in ])ub!ic school buildings, have 
been found to Ije successful adjuncts to the 
main lilirary. 

BANKS AND BANKING 

iMuancial conditions in Schenectady have 
always been essentially sound. As the logical 
banking center of a widely-extended, pros- 
perous surrounding region, and the home of 
great manufacturing and mercantile interests, 
its banking institutions rank among the 
strongest in the country. The thrift and the 
judicious constructive financial policies of the 
directing heads of the city's banks and trust 
companies are evidenced in annually increas- 
ing assets and surplus, in regularly declared 
dividends and protected resources. Unassail- 
ably sound as monetary powers, the banks of 
Schenectady have been one of the cliief fac- 
tors in the progress and upbuilding of every 
phase of the city's business activities ; and, in 
reflecting to the country at large the solid 
financial resources of the city, have exerted a 
telling influence in attracting desirable indus- 
tries and the cajMtal of discriminating, con- 
servative investors. 

The volume and importance of the city's 
commercial transactions are accurately indi- 
cated by the statements of its banks. Schen- 



ectady has five prosperous financial institu- 
tions. Its two National banks and two trust 
companies represent a combined capital of 
$600,000: and these banks, together with the 
Sa\ings Bank, have on deposit, as shown in 
their most recent available reports, the total 
sum of $17,676,201.69. 

The Mohawk National Bank is notable as 
the oldest bank in the city. It was chartered 
in 1807 and opened its doors for business in 
the following year. Its first location was in 
Church Street, near Union. Later the site 
at the corner of Union and Church Streets, 
where the Mohawk Club now stands, was pur- 




Postmastcr Edzvtn Clute 





iOtti- 

J . jL.,.HWPi 




Cii/.^/i Xati.nud Hank 



I'hi- .\\h,-iu\tady Trust Coinfiiiiy 




Schenectady Siiz'iiigs Bank 





The Mohazvk Xalionat Bank 



The Citizens Trust Company 



cliascd ami a Iniilding erectud. into which the 
bank iiiu\(jil aljout iSjo. Business was car- 
ried on at this location until 1857, by which 
period the large and increasing scope of its 
transactions necessitated more roomy quar- 
ters, and, following the trend of business to- 
ward State Street, the institution was removed 
to that thoroughfare. In 1865 it became a 
National bank, and through the subsequent 
years, in times of stress as well as in times 
of prosperity, it has been recognized as one 
of the most stable banking institutions of the 
city. Its capital is Sioo.ooo: surplus and un- 
divided profits. Sj14.476.j4. and its deposits. 
S506, J3 1 .»(>. 

The Union Xalional Bank, organized in 
1S91. received its charter in iSjj. From its 
inception it has been the consistant exponent 
of fundamental!}- sound banking principles 
and progressiveness of business policies. Its 
growth has been such as to give it high stand- 
ing among the leading National banks of the 
present day. With a capital of $100,000. its 
surplus and undiv ided profits are $217,200.32, 
and its deposits amount to $1,060,327.81. 

The advent of modern business methods, 
the rise of great industrial organizations, the 
extension of public utilities, and the develop- 
ment of real estate and commercial enterprises 
of large magnitude brought into existence 
Schenectady's trust companies to meet the 
urgency of the situation. The older of these, 
the Schenectady Trust Company, is the out- 
growth of the Schenectady Bank, a State in- 
stitution, founded in 1838. The Schenectadv 
Trust Compan>-. which took over the old or- 
ganization, was chartered in 1002. From the 
time of its organization it has been a factor 




ll.'U.ih l:l.'ch 




J.:hii H. irhitr 
Fiiniicr Maycir uf Sclu'iu-i:tady 

of constantly increasing importance in the 
city's financial life. Capitalized at $250,000, 
the remarkable extent of its growth is evi- 
denced by the fact that its current report 
shows a surplus of $62,500, with undivided 
profits of $250,458.47. and total deposits of 
$4,305,012.98. 

The Citizens Trust Comitany was chartered 
in 1906. Its administrative officers are men 
of large and successful banking experience, 
who command the confidence of the city's 
business leaders. It has a capital of $150,- 
000. surplus and undivided profits amounting 
to $244,086.42. and deposits totalling $2,917,- 
286.16. 

For the span of more than three-quarters 
of a century the Schenectady Savings Bank 
has been a palpable force in promoting thrift 
among the wage-earners of the city. Founded 
in 1834. its development has been marked by 
an uninterrupted increase, from year to year, 
in the amounts of deposits and the number 
.of accounts. Its one hundred and sixtieth 
semi-annual report, issued July i. 1914. shows 
deposits representing 34.517 accounts, aggre- 
gating S8.887.342. 88. w^ith a surplus of S427,- 
788.95. The bank maintains a Junior Depart- 
ment, designed to encourage children in start- 
ing savings accounts. 

Tabulating, the capital, surplus and undi- 
\ided profits and total deposits of Schenec- 
tadv's banks are as follows : 



Mohawk National Bank 

Union National Bank 

Schenectady Trust Company 
Citizens Trust Company.... 
Schenectady Savings Bank . 



Capital 
.Sioo.ooo 
. r 00.000 
. 250.000 
. I ^o.ooo 



Surplus and Undi- 
vided Profits 
$ 214.476.24 
217,200.32 
312,958.47 
244,086.42 
427,788.95 



Total Deposits 
$ 506.331.86 
1. 060.327.81 
4.305.012.98 
2.917.286.16 
8,887,342.88 



Totals $600,000 

10 



$1,416,510.40 $17,676,301.69 




(Phot., hy ll-l,il,-) 

THE SCHENECTADY BUILDING, LOAN 
AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION 

The Schenectady BuiUhng, Loan and Sav- 
ings Association was incor[)orated in 1889. 
Since that time each succee(Ung year has 
shown a gradtially increasing business and 
accumulated assets and dividends. 

The Association's membership now num- 
bers 2,000, who are owners, proportionately, 
of the assets of $800,000, invested in lirst 
mortgages upon improved real estate — prin- 
cipally homes of its members — in the Cit}' of 
Schenectady or within a radius of a few miles 
from its limits. 

The business has been managed upon a safe, 
conser\ative and economical basis, and ex- 
penses reduced to a minimum of three-quar- 
ters of one per cent, on yearly cash receipts, 
which is considered comparatively small com- 
mensurate with tlu- \iiliinic i)l' liu^im.'-^ tr.m- 






■Vt'tc Vork Central Stati.jn 



A Ihisy .S>,i/ .'II State Slir,-t 

sacteil. thus lea\ing a large percentage of the 
earnings to be distriljuted in dixidcnils 10 
shareholders. 

The Association has made o\ er one thou- 
sand loans, and thus has helped hundreds of 
people to secure homes or pay oft existing 
mortgages, while hundreds of thousands of 
dollars have been paid to investing members. 
Its growth is strikingly shown by the fact that 
its assets, which, in 1890, were $12,581.40, had 
increased b_\- 1913 to the sum of $810,652.26, 

The otticers of the Association since its 
organization have been men of honesty, in- 
tegrity and ability — men standing first in the 
atfairs of tlie city, who have entered into the 
work with keen interest and enthusiasm. 

TRANSPORTATION 

Tiie growth of Schenectady has not been a 
matter of chance or accident, but has been 
due to the governing influences of inexorable 
economic forces, chief among which must be 
reckoned the items of location and means of 
transportation. The city occupies a strategic 
position in the Alohawk Valley, at the portals 
of nature's own highway through the great 
Appalachian mountain barrier. This break in 
the mountain chain was the determining geo- 
graphic factor fixing the routes of the railway 
and water transportation systems that have 
opened up limitless miles of travel east and 
west. 

These carrier s\stenis embrace the Xew 
York Central & Hudson River Railroad — the 
main line and \\'est Shore — east to New York 
and west to Buffalo and beyond ; the Delaware 
& Hudson, north to Lake Champlain and 
Montreal and south to Binghamton : and the 
Boston & Maine to Boston and other New 
England points. These railways, with their 
widely ramifying affiliated lines, their fre- 



II 



quent and efficient passenger service, the 
adequacy of their equipment and directness of 
their routes for freight carrying, place Schen- 
ectady at a distinct advantage in the man- 
ufacturing world. The present traffic facili- 
ties will be increased within a measurably 
short time by the State Barge Canal, now in 
process of construction. 

Supplementing these means of transporta- 
tion, electric lines extend east to Troy and 
Albany, north to Saratoga and Glens Falls, 
and west to Amsterdam, Johnstown and Glov- 
ersville. 



— has kept pace, in its service, equipment and 
trackage, with the growth of the city and the 
resulting increase in traffic demands. The 
Schenectady Railway Company, as a matter 
of fact, has been a principal contributory 
force in the territorial expansion of the city 
and has played a conspicuous part in accel- 
erating the march of progress in population, 
commerce, manufactures and the conseqvient 
prosperity of the whole region traversed by 
its lines. 

The corporation, chartered in 1886, was 
known as the Schenectady Street Railway 




(Plioto hy White) 



Sihi'iiCitady Railway Company's Waiting Room 



SCHENECTADY RAILWAY COMPANY 

Schenectady's street transportation problem 
may be said to have had its laeginning in 1886, 
with the granting of the francliise for the 
operation of a horse car line on State Street. 
However, this most difficult of public utility 
problems has never assumed, in Schenectady, 
so great a degree of complexity as in other 
cities of rapid development, for the reason 
that the agency constantly working out its 
solution — the Schenectady Railway Company 



Company; and under its management electric 
motive power was installed to supplant the 
horse-drawn cars, in 1 891. Four years later 
the franchise and physical properties of the 
company were acquired by the present organ- 
ization, and the task of developing the system 
and improving its service was begun. Stead- 
ily the lines were extended to reach every part 
of the city requiring transit facilities. In 
iQOi the lines to Albany and Troy were placed 
in operation; in the following year the State 



12 







A lir.rzi'ii ami .Wm i':'in['iiiiy's I'liniili, 



Street tracks were extended across the Mo- 
hawk River and into Scotia ; in 1904 the road 
to Ballston S]):i was constructed, and in 1907 
was completed northward to Saratoga 
Springs. 

The Schenectady Railway Company now 
operates yj miles of road, 30 miles of whicli 
are within the local or city fare limit. Its 
equipment includes 158 passenger cars of the 
most modern construction, and 60 service cars 
for various other uses. The passenger traffic 
of the system has grown from 1,238.371 pas- 
sengers carried in 1900 to 25,536,242 in 191 3. 

The company's lines in the city and suhurbs 
form a unified and comprehensive system, giv- 
ing the most efficient service and bringing 
every section — residential, shopping and man- 
ufacturing — into the closest possible inter- 
communication. No less satisfactory is the 
service of its interurban lines. Of these, the 
Troy and Albany divisions pass through pop- 
ulous suburban regions, at their eastern ter- 
minals making direct connections with a net- 
work of traction lines covering the entire area 
of the Upper Hudson Valley, as well as with 
the palatial Hudson River steamers of the 
several lines running to New Ycjrk and inter- 
mediate points. 

The route of the Saratoga division is 
through a storied land of rare scenic beauty 
and great historic interest. Skirting the shore 
of Ballston Lake, at the head of which is 
Forest Park, the road enters Ballston Spa, a 



noted watering place that, in the early nine- 
teenth century, was the rendezvous of the 
country's wealth and fashion. Although its 
springs are today less widely known than 
formerly, the \illage still claims the admira- 
tion of the summer visitors for its dignified 
old homes, its broad, elm-arched streets and 
the charm of its environment. From Ballston 
Spa the road continues its northerly course to 
Saratoga Springs, the acknowledged queen 
of American spas. With its medicinal springs, 
annually visited by thousands of health-seek- 
ers, with the gay social life of its famous 
hotels and the added crowds that attend the 
summer racing meet, Saratoga holds first rank 
among the inland summer resorts of America. 
At this point the Schenectady Railway Com- 
pany's line makes connection with the trolley 
routes reaching Glens Falls, Fort Edw^ard, 
Lake George, W'arrensburg and various other 
resorts in the Adirondack mountains. 

When it is added that the Schenectady Rail- 
way Company connects, in Schenectady, with 
the Fonda, Johnstow-n and Gloversville elec- 
tric line, it will be seen that its system gives 
access to every important locality in the east- 
ern Mohawk Valley and the capital district of 
the State. 

The compan\'s office building and waiting 
room in Schenectady is one of the handsomest 
and most commodious street railway stations 
in the United States, representing the latest 
word in thoughtful provision for the comfort 
and convenience of travelers. 



13 




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lUiii A. iK'iialitic lUtildi 



FONDA. JOHNSTOWN & GLOVERS- 
VILLE RAILROAD 

Another important electric line riuming out 
of Schenectacl}' is the Fonda, Johnstown & 
(jloversville Railroad, following the Sacan- 
(laga route to the Adirondacks. This road is 
splendidlx' equip])ed with fine coaches, and its 
management is constant in the endeavor to 
maintain and increase the reputation of the 
road for efficient and satisfactory service. 
The line pusses througlit a region famous in 
history, and links Schenectady with the cities 
of .\msterdam. Johnstown and (jloversville. 

I'assing out of Schenectady, the road 
crosses the Mohawk over the Glenville bridge 
into Scotia, the suburban village settled by 
Dutch and .Scotch pioneers somewhat earlier 
than the date of the acquisition of the Schen- 
ectady flats from the Indians. From this 
jjoint westward along the Fonda. Johnstown 
& (jloversville route the grandeur of the 
scenery of the Mohawk \aHey. with its 
"P)0w]ands.'' its "Hocks" and graceful sweeps, 
its encircling hills and nestling islands, forms 
a pageant of marveloits beauty, enhanced by 
a wealtli of historic associations. .Speeding 
westward, liardin's Crossing is reached, near 
which, in a picturest|ue glen, the battle of 
Buekendaal was fought in 1741^. between tlte 
Schenectady militia and the Indians. Fur- 
ther along the \'alle\-. across tlie lands of 
Maalwyck. stands Yautapuclaberg. a dome 
1.3S5 feet high. Another interesting spot is 
^\'olf's Hollow, a deep gorge leading back 
from Hoft'man's into the Glenville hills. It is 
particularly attractive to the geologist because 



of the remarkable dislocation of the strata of 
its rock formations. The neighliorhood is also 
rich in fossils. Continuing westward, the 
road passes through Amsterdam, noted for its 
carpet and textile industries and famous as 
the early home of .^ir \\'illiam Johnson: skirts 
Tribes Hill, from which is had a sweeping 
view of the river valley : reaches tlie \illage 
of Fonda ; swings northward to Johnstown, 
named for Sir William Johnson, and tlve seat 
of his vast baronial estate ; and. finally, passes 
on to Gloversville. From the latter city con- 
nections are made to stich lieautiful summer 
resorts as Mountain Lake, .Sacandaga. Xorth- 
ville and the rugged foothills and deep woods 
of the Adirondack region. 

BARGE CANAL 

The .'state Barge Canal, now nearing com- 
pletion, will give -Schenectady a free waterway 
of ample jjroportions for all modern shipping 
requirements westward to the Cjreat Lakes 
and eastward to tlie Hudson Rixer: an addi- 
tional means of transportation of almost in- 
calculable value to the industries and com- 
merce of the city. The mininuuii depth of the 
canal is 12 feet and its least width, at the 
Ijottom. is "5 feet. Tlie major part of the 
system is through rivers and lakes, and in 
these stretches the average width is 200 feet. 
"In a general way it may be stated." writes 
.'^tate Engineer John A. Bensel in a recent re- 
]>ort. "that the Harge Canal project is largely 
a ri\er canalization scheme. Previous State 
canals have been chiefly independent or ar- 
tificial channels, built in several instances on 



14 



cross-count !")■ locations, Xow. ho\ve\ei". the 
route returns to the nalur.il watercourses. Tlie 
bed or valley of the Muhawk is utilized from 
the Hudson to the old portage at Rome. Then 
Wood C'reek. ( )neida Lake and ( )neida, Sen- 
eca and t'l\de l\i\crs are used, carrying the 
cliannel to the \\c--tern part of the State. 
where the --t reams rmi north, and the align- 
ment of the old channel ( l-'.rie Canal) is re- 
tained fur the new canal." 

The dredging and other wurk along the 
entire length of the canal, with the construc- 
tion of the required locks, dams and bridges, 
lias invohed problems of almost insurmount- 
able difl'iculty, the successful solution of 
which has been a not.able triumph of engi- 
neering skill. 

For the conxenience of shi])pers, terminals. 
or docks, are located at about fifty towns 
along the canal route. 'i"he terminal at Schen- 
ectady is 1. 100 feet in length, and. with a 
channel or harbor 200 feet wide at this point, 
will provide facilities for the dockage of 
barges of 1,30(1 to J.doo tons capacitx'. .\s a 
comjiliment to, rather than a com])etitor of. 
the railways, the operati(in of the F!,irge 



Canal will fa\orably effect Schenectady's in- 
dustries in more ways than by the materially 
lower freight rates it will afford during a great 
]iarl of the \e;ir. ft will prove an .acK'anlageous 
roiUc for inconn'ng consigniuents of raw ma- 
terial and fuel, and its utility will be further 
demonstrated in the added facilities it will 
gi\e for export shi])ments, inusmucb ;is 
cargoes for export can be lo;ided on the canal 
barges at the various manufacturing jil iiits 
;in'l. forw.arded by this all-water route direct 
to .\'e\\ ^■ork. can there be transferred to the 
ocean steamers without the ex])ense of the 
intermediate agencies of railway shipntent 
and lisjhter.aa-e. 



Four hours to Xew 'S'ork. six hours to 
Huffalo. se\en hours to JJoston, by splendid 
Tulman tr.ains; a pleasant trolley ride to Al- 
bany, Trcjy, Saratoga, Lake George, the 
.\dirontlacks — far-famed pleasure resorts, the 
ca]jital of the state, the great business and 
financial centers of the nation — all within e.asy 
reach of Schenectady. 





Plast.-r Mill 



Office 



^V^\r 



- *•% 




Stone Mill Intcviiir uf Stone Mill 

Part of the Kellam and Shaffer Cum;<any's Plant 



15 




(Photo by irhilf) 

EDUCATIONAL 

Schenectady possesses a splendid educa- 
tional equipment, both along the lines of the 
usual public and high school courses and in 
the varied fields of specialized training. In 
addition to the public schools there are six 
parochial and two commercial schools. The 
city's educational advantages are further en- 
hanced by Union University. 

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM 

Schenectady has twenty-three public school 
buildings, most of which, erected within the 
last ten years, are of the best present-day 
types. The total value of school properties 
is $2,022,143. Tlic Board of Education, 
after thorough study, has recommended 
to the city engineer a standard plan 
of schoolhouse construction that provides for 
the expansion of the several units by addi- 
tional wings, to meet future requirements of 
each neighborhood. The plan also contem- 
plates rooms for manual training, domestic 
science, branch libraries, a swimming pool, an 
open-air -room and a playroom. Recognizing 
the value of outdoor recreation to school chil- 
dren, practical consideration has been given, 
within the past few years, to the physical 
asjjects of education. Many j)lots have been 
acquired for school playgrounds and a num- 
ber of these have been equipped with ajipa- 
ratus. The work of developing a proper 
playgroiuid system will be continued until 
the city's needs in this direction have been 
fully met. It is worthy of note that the im- 
portance of inspiring the youth of the com- 
munity with an intelligent civic ])ride is appre- 
ciated by the Board of Education and the 
Superintendent of Schools. With this end 
in view, attention is given to the teaching of 
local history and local geograjihy, and the 
interest of the school children in these sub- 
jects is greatly stimulated by an annual prize 
of $100, given by the Board of Trade. 

The High School consists of two buildings, 
situated in Nott Terrace. The original, or 



High School 

south building, was first occupied in 1903, and 
the larger, or north building, was completed 
in 1913. With the opening of the latter, 
greatly increased facilities for vocational and 
technical training, advance work in design, 
illustration, and the like, were afforded. 

Evening school work is carried on in a 
number of the elementary buildings and also 
in the High School building. The work in 
the elementary schools was organized in 1909, 
and has since been continuously expanded so 




A. K. Pnibcu-hcr. Ph. D. 
Sul>t. of Schools 

that it now includes reading, writing, spelling, 
English, arithmetic, geography and history, 
as well as classes in domestic science and in 
manual training. Classes in English for 
foreigners are also maintained. 

The evening High School was organized in 
1903, and has been conducted since that time 
with increasing success. Courses are given 
in all High School branches and in civil serv- 
ice subjects. The work includes vocational 
and domestic science training ; and in physics 
and chemistry advanced classes are provided 
for men who have had practical experience in 
the shops of the several manufacturing plants. 



16 




■'Soiilh College 



UNION COLLEGE 

\\'hiie the people of Schenectady view with 
satisfaction the material atisancenient of the 
city and its high standing among the indus- 
trial communities of the country, they are 
especially and justifyably proud of its rank 
in the educational world, won and maintained 
by Union College, which for the span of a 
century has been numbered among the fore- 
most institutions of higlier education in the 
western hemisphere. 

From the time of its organization Union's 
growth has proceeded steadily along the broad 
lines laid down by its founders. The out- 
growth of an academy established by the citi- 
zens of Schenectady in 1785, Union College 
received its charter in 1795. In a recent ad- 
dress, speaking of the principles upon which 
it w'as established. Dr. Charles Alexander 
Richmond, the present head of the institution, 
says : 

"There were two distinctive features in the 
founding of Union College. First, it was the 
result of a popular movement. The funds 
were provided by popular subscription ; and, 
second, it was established upon the broad basis 
of religious liberty and Christian unity. 
Union was the first non-sectarian college 
founded in this country. 

"The non-sectarian college was something 
new in American education. It is a matter 
of no small pride that the first college in the 
Mohawk Valley should sound the note of 
religiotis liberty which has become the domi- 
nant note in American education." 

The site for the colleg; was selected by Dr. 
Eliphalet Nott. president of the institution 
from 1804 to 1866, and the land was acquired 
in 1812. The original plans for the buildings 
and grounds were prepared by the French 
engineer, Jacques Ramee. The first building 
erected was that now known as North Col- 



lege, completed in 1814. Tbi^. and the .Snu:h 
College, built later, conform to the pleasin;.^ 
architectural simjilicity of the Ramee designs. 
Under the leadershij) of Dr. Xott. Union's 
early progress was rapid. By 1825 its student 
body was numerically greater than that of 
either Harvard or Yale, and up to the period 
of the Civil War, with the exception of a few 
years, it continued to hold the place of honor 
a^ the country's largest college. It was the 
tirsi American institution of learning to place 
its scientific course on an equality with the 
traditional classic course — a departure from 
the established order of things regarded, at 
the time, as revolutionary in the extreme. 
Union, was also the first college in this coun- 
try to include a course in civil engineering in 
its curriculum. 




Cntli'i/r Library and General P.niiinecring Building 



17 




(Plwto by While) 



Mc-iiiorial Cale 



'i'lie famous grouiuls and garden of the 
college, so harmoniously in keeping with the 
architectural features of its older buildings, 
are deserxing of mention. In the develop- 
ment of the grounds Dr. Xott took a great 
interest. L'nder his direction were planted 
many of the trees — rows of stately elms, black- 
walnuts, honey locusts — that border the paths 
and drives and shade its grassy acres. In 
the college garden there towers an ancient 
elm, which, although its sapling days antedate 
by several centuries the founding of the col- 
lege, has long been known as the Xott Elm. 




Dr. Charles Alexander Richmond 
President of Union Colleye 



L'nder this \enerable survixor of the forest 
jjrimeval the annual class day exercises are 
held, and it '"occupies a revered place in the 
college traditions." The garden in which this 
elm stands is one of the most attractive spots 
in the college grounds. Writing of it, Mr. 
Samuel Parsons, the noted landscape gard- 
ener. sa\^s : 

"Since my visit to Union College, the one 
memor)- that persistently stays with me is the 
quaint old garden ; it had so much of the 
character of a natural, secluded but charming 
nook in the woods. It was human, too, and 
very American. No pretense ; just a few old- 
fashioned shrubs with wild flowers at their 
feet, little stretches of turf and an unpretend- 
ing brook running through it out into the little 
xalley. lying like an amphitheatre with grand 
old elms oxerarching. How fine a combina- 
tion I I confess I like it better than the old 
garden at Xew College, O.xford. I have seen 
this garden at Xew College. Oxford, and it is 
certainly lovely, but I prefer such an Ameri- 
can garden as the one at Union College." 

Under Dr. Richmond, president of Union 
during the jjast si.x years, the college has 
entered upon a period of healthy expansion. 
The present year has opened moi^e auspi- 
ciously, probably, than any previous year in 
its history. The freshman class numbers 
more students than did the whole college 
eleven years ago. The enrollment of 475 stu- 
dents, as com])ared with ijt, in 1908, shows a 
significant gain — and this in spite of higher 
requirements for admission. Moreover, the 
regular income has increased in the past 
decade from 828,000 in 1904 to $132,000 in 
1914. ^^'hile still maintaing the usual clas- 



18 




H,\id of C i/.v 



of Ucailh 



liKscfh If C Icwcnis 
innifiMoiici iif t'ulAic W 



inillaiii H. I.andrclh 
ti'/v liiKjiht-rr 



sical and scieiitihc courses in all tlicir thor- 
oughness, its electrical engineering course has 
become an important feature of its work. 
Union's department of electrical science offers 
courses superior to any given in other insti- 
tutions. It now has graduate students rep- 
resenting Princeton, Cornell. Rochester. Le- 
high, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 
Pratt Institute, the Inijierial College of 
Shanghai, C'hina, the Royal University of 
Stockholm, the University of Madras, India, 
besides many Union graduates. 

Concerning the aims and accomplishment 
of the college. Dr. Richmond, in the address 
previously quoted, says : 

"The big university, the post-graduate 
school, the educational experimental station, 
are products of this age. They have their 
uses, and uses most valuable, but they do niit 
and cannot do the work which colleges such 
as Union are doing. Greatness is not to be 
measured bv size. Judged by any true stan- 
dard. Union may justly be called great. The 
influence it has exerted upon the educational, 
political and religious life of this state and of 
the country is hardly to be measured. 

"For three-quarters of a centur_v Union 
College was the goal of the ambitious boys of 
the farms and village homes of northern and 
western Xew York, and there they were 
trained for service : some of them for great 
service. In the class of 1800 was Gerrit Y. 
Lansing, for many years Albany's represen- 
tative in Congress. In 1806 there was John 
C. Spencer. Secretary of War and of the 
Treasury. In 1S07 was Joseph C. Yates. 
Governor of Xew York. In 1S09 was Gideon 
Hawley. the father of the public schools of 
this State. In 1810 was John Howard Payne. 
?mthor oi Home, Siveet Home. Between 1815 
and 1 819 there were four boys sent out from 
Union who became United States Senators. 
In the same class was Breckenridge. of Ken- 
tuckv ; Alonzo Potter, Bislio]) of Pennsyl- 



^•ania, and (Jeorge Washington Doane. Bishop 
of Xew Jersey. The class of 1820 sent out 
Laurens B. llickock. afterwards president of 
Union : Taylor Lewis, the greatest classical 
scholar of his time in America : William Kent, 
the distinguished jurist, and William IL 
Seward. Lincoln's Secretary of State. Then 
came such men as Preston King. United 
States Senator; Ward Hunt, Justice of the 
United States Suijreme Court : John Bigelow, 
Minister to France; Robert Toombs. Secre- 
tarv of State for the Confederacy; General 
Halleck : Chester A. Arthur, President of the 
United States ; (lovernors of Georgia, Wis- 
consin, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, New 
York-, Massachusetts, Wyoming; Senators, 
Meml)ers of the Cabinet. Foreign Ministers, 
Justices and Representatives. 

"In the field of education, there are colleges 
in every part of the country that owe their 
success, if not their very existence, to the 
colleges of the Mohawk \'alley. Especially 
is this true of Union. C)ut through this val- 
lev, as through a gateway, went the pioneers 
of education into newer conununities. and 
wherever thev went they made their mark 
upon the intellectual life of the place." 

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS 

The parochial schools of Schenectady are 
an important part of the educational system 
of the city. They are six in number, four 
Catholic and two German Protestant schools, 
as follows : Deutsch Evangelische Friendens 
Kirche. St. Adelbert's School. St. John's 
School. St. Joseph's Academ\'. St. Mary's 
School and Church Parochial ScIkioI. 

SCHENECTADY BUSINESS SCHOOL 

The Schenectady Business School was es- 
tablished in 1897 by Mr. \\'. F. Fitzgerald, 
C. S. R., and is now. therefore, in its 
eighteenth year of successful work. It is 
conducted unrler the personal supervision of 



19 



Mr. Fitzgeralil, wliosc long- experience and 
])ractical knowledge in all branches of business 
instruction have jieculiarly titted him for the 
rcsponsilile ])()sition of princi])al of such an 
institution. Mr. Fitzgerald is one of the best 
known c-xperl court, convention and general 
stenogra])hers and experienced business teach- 
ers in the State. He holds the degree of 
certified shorthand reporter from the State 
1-lducational 1 )epartment. 

The faculty of the school, in addition to the 
jjrincipal, includes a competent and experi- 
enced chief instructor in all departments, 
which include full commercial and shorthand 
courses. 




Schenectady Business School 

In order to provide suitable (|uurters for 
the ra|)idlv-growing enrollment of this school, 
Mr. h'itzgerald has constructed a building 
suited to the requirements of a modern bus- 
iness school. The rooms are light, well-ven- 
tilated aufl arranged for efficiency in securing 
results. The whole of the second floor is 
devoted to the use of the school. 

The entire furnishings and equipment of the 
school are new and thoroughly modern. In- 
dividual adjustable steel desks are installed, 
and thirty new typewriters and typewriter 
tables ha\e been added. The model office 
contains filing cabinets, multigraph and dictat- 
ing machines. 

sri';i\CKirs uusiivess schooi, 

Under the principalship of Mr. C. C. 
Guyott, Spencer's Business School has gained 
a prominent place in the realm of commercial 
instruction in Schenectady. Its courses em- 
brace the usual branches of business training 
- — shorthand, hookkeeping, commercial law 
and related subjects. 



NEWSPAPERS 

Schenectady's daily newspapers measure up 
to the highest standards of present-day jour- 
nalism. The Schenectady Ga::cttc is the 
morning daily. .\bly edited and thorough and 
accurate in its news presentation, it has 
achieved a solid reputation as a paper of dis- 
tinctive individuality, impartial in reflecting 
and analyzing current events and o])inion. 
The city's evening newspaper is the Schenec- 
tady Union-Star. Its alert and enterprising 
management has been successful iti keeping 
its columns bright and teeming-full with all 
the news of each day's happenings, told in 
concise, reliable form, ^^'ith several after- 
noon editions it comprehensively covers the 
local and general news fields. The Knicker- 
bocker-Press,- one of Albany's leading news- 
papers, maintains a Schenectady office and 
issues a Schenectady edition daily and Sun- 
days. It has a large circulation in the city 
and the entire capital district, and has become 
an established factor in the newspaper life of 
Schenectady. There are also a number of 
weekly journals, j;ubli.'-.hed in the interests of 
various organizations, and others for foreign- 
speaking residents. 

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS 

Schenectady has something over sixty 
churches and places of worship. Owing to 
the cosmopolitan character of the population, 
these represent a great variety of religious 
belief. Many of the churches are imposing 
structures of striking architectural beauty. 

With a membership of 2,000, the Schenec- 
tady Y. M. C. A. is a palpable force for good 
in the city. The association's building in 
lower State Street is equipped with all modern 
athletic apparatus, reading rooms, a restau- 
rant, and other features, making it an ideal 
clul) and place of recreation for the hundreds 
of young men employed in the various large 
maiuifacturing plants. Within the past year 
improvements in the interior arrangements of 
the building have been in progress, costing in 
the neighborhood of $25,000. These include 




Old Ladies' Home 



20 





St. Ccoiyc rrolcsiaiil /;>/.(.,./•.;/ Chuvch 



I'lr.! i^,-l.,n,u-d i'hiirJ, 




First Presbyterian Church 





St. John's Roman Catholic Church 



21 



First Methodist Episcopal Church 





., ,•, .a 


i l9,n 


» t-^ 




.■ffi, ' 




rTFWXt^ 


^ 


il.ij 


^, A " 


rtMin-Jft 


^DQERhSbt 


Bp '> -.'•--'• ^ '• - ■ '^ ■"^- • w^iis* *.'iT"^ 















rP/K./f. by llliitc) 



Ellis Hosl'ital 



a swimming ijool. bowling alleys and the en- 
largement of the gymnasium. 

A little further along State Street the build- 
ing of the Y. W. C. A. opens its ever-hos- 
pitable doors. Home-like and restful in its 
outward aspect and comfortable in its ap- 
pointments, it offers a pleasant family life 
to both occasional and permanent lodgers. 
Attention is given to physical training ; and 
night classes in various branches, such as 
German, elocution and dressmaking, are 
maintained. A movement to equip the build- 
ing with a swimming pool is now under way 
and funds needful for tlie purpose have been 
assured. 

The W. C. T. U. also owns its building, and 
in its home convalescent women, or those 
seeking employment, or for other reasons 
needing shelter, are cared for without charge. 
In many other directions the organization 
exerts an uplifting moral influence. 

ELLIS HOSPITAL 

On the heights of the northern section of 
the city, and surroimded by broad, sweeping 
lawns that slojie gently to the Boulevards, 
stands Ellis Hospital. This institution, which 
represents, in its aims and accomplishments, 
the humane aspirations of two generations of 
the best elements of Schenectady's citizenship, 
is the outgrowth of a movement started in 
18S5 to proxide the city with a public dis- 
pensary. A bequest of the late Charles G. 
Ellis, in tiie sum of $25,000, together with a 
number of minor contributions, made possible 
the erection of a hospital building (the struc- 
ture now used as an annex to the City Hall), 
the equipment and furnishings for which were 
given by the General Electric Company and 
the American Locomotive Company. The 
new hospital was opened in 1893. An en- 



dowment of $25,000 provided for in the will 
of Dr. Robert Fuller formed the nucleus of 
a maintenance fund which has since lieen aug- 
mented from year to year by many other 
voluntary gifts and bequests ; and especially 
in recent years by the efforts of the Women's 
Auxiliary organization. In consequence of 
the rapid growth of the city, the necessity for 
larger quarters lieccoming imperative, the pres- 
ent site was purchased in 1903, and work be- 
gun on a new building, which, when completed 
in 1906. gave the city one of the most com- 
pletely equipped as well as one of the largest 
hospitals in the State of New York. In 191 3 




Gcrardus Smith 

President of Ellis Hospital. The Daily 

Gazette Coiitpaiiy and Sehenectady 

Trust Company 



22 




Mercy Hospital 



3. fund was raised Ijy pojjular subscription to 
build an additional wing to the hospital. This 
addition, now conijileted. is a 40 x 134 foot 
structure, three stories high, and provided 
with a sheltered roof-garden for convales- 
cents. The improvement, with an addition 
to the \\ hitmore Home and School for 
Nurses, maintained on the hospital grounds, 
cost in the neighborhood of .$75,000. 

MERCY HOSPITAL 

Serving no less useful imrpose is Mercy 
Hospital, situated in the heart of the city. 
Organized in 1907, it was known during the 



earlier vears of its dexelnpnient as the Phy- 
sicians llosi)ital. Later its work was carried 
on for a time Ijy the Sisters of Alercy. Li 
1913. however, the Mercy Hospital Society 
was incorporated and the service of the in- 
stitution has since been conducted by this or- 
ganization, under the State laws governing 
charitable institutions. A considerable per- 
centage of Mercy Llospital's work is of a 
purely charitable character, while a still larger 
proportion may be classified as semi-chari- 
table, inasmuch as service is extended to per- 
sons of limited means at a merely nominal 
rate. 




Glenridge Sanitorium 



The Covenwr Yates House in I.uwcr Union Street 
Built in IT35 



23 




(Pholo by White) 



Home of James F. Hooker — Ai'on Road 




Home tij li'euri/e W. I'dii rraiikcn- i'liinn Ai'ciiue 



24 




■■3»HW Jut -W 



i^ 




Home of Geo gc I'.. liniiiidiix — i'nimi Ai'riiiic Home of Willis T. Hanson — Union Street 




Hume of John I'. Hn, man— Wendell Avenue 





Home of Josej^h A. l-iila -L ni ni ttii.t 



Home of Dr. Chas. C. Duryee — Union Street 



25 




Crescent Park 



PARKS 

In common with man_v other American 
cities, Schenectady has been hite in making a 
start in the work of establishing a system of 
parks. It has suffered less than most cities 
by the delay, however, inasmuch as no loss 
of available park lands, desirably situated and 
easy of development, has resulted. Up to the 
present time the imperative need of parks has 
scarcely been felt. The city has practically 
no extended districts of population conges- 
tion and no slums. Most of the residential 
streets are broad thoroughfares, bordered with 
shade trees, and in some instances decoratively 
parked. In the downtown section. Crescent 
Park, a large, well-kept oval, affords a rest- 
ful open space, only a step distant from State 
Street's busiest blocks. Situated on slightly 
ascending ground, its lofty elms are visi- 
ble through the whole extent of the shopping 
district. The various lines of the city and 
interurban trolleys converge toward, or circle 
around, this oval, which, because of its central 
location, always presents a scene of great 
animation. Light and air, the first requisites 
of healthful living conditions, have not. so far, 
been wanting in Schenectady. Furthermore, 
within the city limits and convenient of ac- 
cess, there are a number of natural parks 
open to the public. Tliese several extensive 
areas, with their fields of greensward, pine- 
crowned knolls and woodsy dells, stand in- 
vitingly ready for the skill of the engineer 
and landscape gardener to transform them 
into beautiful pleasure grounds. 

Steps have already been taken looking to 
the development of portions of these natural 
parks. An appropriation of $60,000 has been 
made and is available for the initial expense 
of the work now imder way. Three tracts 
have been acquired by the city. The largest 
of these, consisting of 140 acres, lying east of 
McCIellan Street and south of Eastern Ave- 
nue, is admirably adapted for park purposes. 
Its gently rolling, terraced hills are covered 
with a growth of pine, and in the depressions 



maples, oaks and birches are found. Through 
the whole extent of the park lands winding 
woodland paths lead the stroller among scenes 
of exquisite natural beauty. The second of 
the tracts acquired is 60 acres in area, and is 
situated in the picturesque glen known as 
Cotton Factory Hollow, the steep slopes of 
which are heavily wooded. Between these 
slopes flows the little stream forming the out- 
let of Brandywine Lake. The third plot is a 
river-edge strip of land of three and one-half 
acres, lying between Ingersoll Avenue and 
tlie Scotia Bridge, having a most pleasing 
outlook upon the Mohawk River and com- 
manding a sweeping \iew of the green hills 
beyond. \\"heu improved it will form an 
attractive recreation ground for those inter- 
ested in acquatic sports. 

Other needed improvements now engaging 
the attention of the public are the widening 
of important cross-town streets, such as La- 
fayette and Jay Streets, and the extension of 
the latter beyond State to Smith Street. The 
width — or, rather, narrowness — of these 
thoroughfares was determined long before 
the city's business and street traffic had 
reached their present proportions. The ex- 
[jansion of the retail district transformed Jay 
Street into a business street some yenrs ago. 
With the growth of business the merchants 
are now feeling the hampering effect of the 
traffic congestion and lack of ready access, 
due to the limited width between curbs and 
the narrowness of the sidewalks. The solu- 
tion of this problem is strongly urged for the 
consideration and action of the city authorities. 

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS 

Although Schenectady is essentially a city 
of homes and homelife, hotel accommodations 
and places of transient sojourn are by no 
means lacking. Excellent hotels, bachelor 




Comfort Station and Band Stand, 
Crescent Park 



26 




apartments, comfortable boarding-houses and 
a great variety of restaurants and cafes are 
available in and near the central business sec- 
tion of the city. Located nearest to the New 
York Central passenger station is The Edison, 
a hotel with equipment that includes every 
modern conxenience. with superior cuisine and 
obliging service. It is provided with several 
large, well-lighted sample rooms for the use 
of commercial travelers. The Mohawk Hotel, 
in South Centre Street, near State, has long 
been known for the exceptional comfort and 
the up-to-date character of its appointments. 
It is now in process of being greatlv enlarged. 
and when the improvements have been com- 
pleted the Mohawk will be more than double 
its present size. The New Vendome, con- 
veniently located on State Street, near the 
railway stations, always enjoys a full share 
of the patronage of the traveling public. The 
Hotel Foster is a residence hotel, situated 
near Crescent Park. Glenn's, also on State 
Street, is Schenectady's restaurant de luxe. 
It is noted for its a la carte dinner service, 
and is a favorite resort of refinement and 
charm for after-theatre suppers. Thalman's, 
near Crescent Park, is an especially attractive 
place, much in vogue for daintily-served 
luncheons, afternoon teas, special dinners, and 
light refreshments. There are also The 



Crown. .St. Clair. Wilson, and many other 
smaller hotels, grill-rooms and restaurants 
catering to the tastes of all classes of patrons. 




Hotel I'cndome 



27 




Miisoiic Tcml'lc— Church Strecl 

CLUBDOM 

Schenectady's club life is represented by a 
number of social and athletic organizations. 
The oldest and most important of these is the 
Alohawk Club, whose home is the spacious and 
dignified mansion at Church and Union 
Streets. The club has a large membership. 
composed of business and professional men 
of social prominence. The city's foremost or- 
ganization in the field of outdoor sports is the 
Mohawk Golf Club. On its grounds — a tract 
of 169 acres — it maintains a handsome club- 
house, and, in addition to the golf links, has 
tennis courts, shooting traps and equipment for 
winter s])orts, such as curling, ice skating and 
tobogganing. Among the leading clubs and 
associations in addition to the foregoing are 
the .\del])hi Country Club, the Schenectady 
lioat Club, Edison Club, Locomotive Club. 
Mohawk Power Boat Club, Northern New 
York Club, Woman's Club, Schenectady 
Automobile Club, and the Schenectady County 
Fish and Game Protective Association. 

Other of the city's notable societies are the 
Academy of Medicine, the Schenectady Bar 
Association and the Schenectady County His- 
torical Society. 

In the realm of fraternal and beneficial or- 
ganizations, practically all of the well known 
national orders or lodges have their local units 
in Sclienectady, active in their se\ eral spheres 
of usefulness. 



THEATRES 

The ])laygoer of Schenectady has oppor- 
tunitv to see a \aried range of the best plays 
of each season. 'i"he \'an Curler is the lead- 
ing theatre of the city, and its ofiferings in- 
clude the most successful productions in 
ilrania. comedy and light opera, presented by 
full casts and stars who have won popular 
fa\()r in long metropolitan engagements. 
Proctor's is a new house of admirable con- 
struction and large seating capacity, showing 
daily vaudeville bills of the highest character. 
The Mohawk, formerly the home of burlesque, 
is oi)en to various attractions. Other than these 
there are a great number of smaller houses 
de\oted to the omnipresent "movies." In all 
of the theatres the city fire regulations, safe- 
guarding the lives of [latrons, are stringently 
enforced. 

CONVENTIONS 

Concerning the advantages to be derived 
from having the conventions of various organ- 
izations held in the cit}-, Secretary Raymond, 
(jf the Board of Trade, says, in his current 
annual report : 

"The more conventions we can have, the 
better. Nothing advertises the city more 
effectively than to have numbers of people 
with us from every section of the state. 
-Schenectady, noted for its hospitality, is al- 
ways glad to welcome delegates and societies." 

In the summer of 1914 Schenectady's claim 
to be considered a "convention city" was es- 
tablished by the unqualified success achieved 
in entertaining the delegates and visitors to 
three notable gatherings. These were the 
Annual Encampment of the New York United 
.Spanish War Veterans, the New York State 
annual convention of the Knights of Colum- 
bus, and the convention of the New York 
.State Federation of Labor. 




Mohaivk Coif Club 



28 






REAL ESTATE 

AiiKini; all classes hunie-t)\vning has become 
a hahit in Schenectady. A large proportirin 
of the workmen employed in the city own their 
homes. Following almost any street or a\'c- 
nue to the city limits, block after block of 
well-built, comfortable homes are to be seen, 
each surrounded by its neatly trimmed lawn, 
ornamental shrubs and shade trees — the un- 
mistakable "outward visible sign" of the pride 
of ownership. All the outlying districts are 
easily accessible by trolley, and in many of 
these sections even the unskilled workman 
can, with reasonable thrift, become the owner 
of a house with a lot large enough for a bit of 
garden. With wages of both skilled and un- 
skilled labor higher, on the average, than in 
other manufacturing centers, and with general 
living conditions more favorable, there is a 
constantlv growing tendencv among the wase- 



iii'us n.ii! 

earners of Schenectady to regard the city as 
their permanent home. Apart from the ad- 
\antageous industrial and living conditions, 
an a(l(liti(jnal incentixe to home building is 
found in the natural attractiveness of location. 
Few cities of its size have so great a number 
of beautiful residences, placed in so charming 
an environment. These homes, with their 
extensive grounds, give to the portions of the 
city in which they are situated the appearance 
of exclusive residential parks. The beauty 
spots have, however, by no means been pre- 
empted by the wealthy citizens alone ; in every 
residential section there are well-paved, tree- 
shaded streets available for those of moderate 
means. 

Real estate conditions in Schenectady are 
sound. There has been no speculative infla- 
tion of values, and the advance has been based 




Cliarh-s G. M.Doiuild 
Grand Knight, Kniylits of Cohnnbits, Counril 201; 
Manager of the Van Curler Theatre 




29 



Robert Glenn, Jr. 
Proprietor of Glenn's Restaurant 




Union Street, Above Brandy'c'.'ine 

upon the solid foundation of the steadily-in- 
creasing industrial and commercial develop- 
ment of the cit). Real estate investments 
have, therefore, proved safe and profitable ; 
and as the industrial and commercial activi- 
ties now. as heretofore, are on the upward 
trend, and as the increase in population is 
certain to continue, there is hardly a remote 
possibility of any halt in the city's expansion. 

While there has been no great movement 
toward the multiple dwelling in the strictly 
residential portions of the city, the two-family 
house has found favor with the home-buyer 
who seeks to lessen the carrying costs of his 
investment by renting a part of his dwelling. 
There has also been marked activity in the 
past few years in the building of detached 
single-family houses. 

The tendency toward home-owning has been 
fostered by the operations of several land de- 
velopment companies, that, by their improve- 
ments, have paved the way for the building 
up of a number of the most desirable sections 
of Schenectady. Among the building tracts 
now under improvement may be named the 
development of W. Garner Bee, known as the 
Boulevard Home Sites, on the northeastern 
border of the city. Occupying high ground 
in near proximity to a most exclusive boule- 
vard section, this development has every ad- 
vantage of altitude, excellent drainage, beau- 
tiful surroundings and ease of access. Homes 
of a modest artistic character and others on 
more pretensious plans have been built, while 



The Pouleviirds 

man\- more are planned for erection in the 
near future. Other extensive plots, the de- 
velopment of which has been a factor in de- 
termining the trend of the city's expansion, 
are those of the Chadwick-AIcDonald Realty 
Company. One of these is adjacent to the 
newly-acquired park on McClellan St., near 
Eastern Avenue. This tract has all city im- 
provements ; its broad streets are being beau- 
tifully parked, and it has. therefore, taken on 
definite character as an attractive, restricted 
residential neighborhood. A suburban de- 
velopment of this company, known as Wood- 
lawn, is situated on the Albany line of the 
Schenectady Railway Company. On this plot, 
which is over 200 acres in extent, sixty dwell- 
ings have been built. In many other direc- 
tions the city is pushing otit along the trolley 
lines and automobile roads into its pleasant 
suburban zone. 

There has been considerable activity within 
recent years in the btiilding of attractive 
a])artment houses in the central portion of the 
city. These structures are all of modern 
tvjies, meeting, in their arrangement and 
equipment, every reqtiirement of families pre- 
ferring this mode of life. The growing de- 
mand in this direction is being met by the 
erection of additional apartment houses each 
year. Rentals are exceedingly low, considered 
in relation to the values given. 

The city has also entered upon a period of 
modern construction in office and business 
buildings. 




Bouh-circt Home Sites 
30 




Piosfrclirr 



THE GREAT WESTERN GATEWAY 

(Means a boulevard bridge from tbe highlands of 
Schenectady to the highlands of Glenville — one 
which will place the tide of travel forever above 
the Mohawk floods and which will eliminate the 
intolerable conditions that past generations have 
been forced to endure — a bridge befitting and be- 
coming the historic and commercial importance of 
the State of New York.) 

It is peculiarly appropriate that the readers 
of this book, descriptive of the Electric City, 
should glance for a few minutes at a short 
synopsis of the movement that has taken the 
name that the Indians had in mind when they 
called the locality on which the Electric City 
now stands, Schenectady — The Gateway. 

Indian names were always significent and 
full of meaning. By the tribes that lived here 
200 years ago this s[)Ot was always termed 
The Gateway — the only opening at water level 
in the great Appalachian range of mountains 
for hundreds of miles. That is what the word 
Schenectady means, and what it is — The Gate- 
way between the east and the west. 

For over 100 years the only means of en- 
trance or of egress at Schenectady has been 
the old Scotia bridge, so named because it is 
now owned by the village of that name, which 
the bridge connects with Schenectady by 
means of a narrow dyke one-half mile in 
length. Built in 1806. it was then considered 
a marvel of workmanship. It has been built 
three times within the last forty years, though 
today, after 108 years of service, the old stone 
abutments laid in 1806 are still in use. 



During the first seventy-five years of the 
history of this section the old bridge ans- 
wered every demand. Schenectady was a 
finished product, an old Dutch town, the joke 
of newspaper paragraphers. Scotia was a 
rambling little hamlet, and nothing more; and 
the farmers of Glenville drove their fat, lazy 
horses across the bridge to market and bore 
uncomplainingly the annual floods that year 
after year swept everything before them. 

In 1882 there came a change. The Edison 
General Electric Company began operations 
in two small shops, out of which has grown 
the present great plant of the General Electric 
Company that is known by its products all 
over the civilized world. By 1890 the pop- 
ulation of Schenectady was a scant 20,000, 
but the growth of the next decade doubled 
the population, and the old Dutch village 
emerged from its chrysalis state into the most 
rapidly growing city in the state. 

The city grew, as did the village of Scotia. 
Today Schenectady and its suburbs form a 
metropolis of 105,000 people. The tide of 
traflic across the old bridge doubled, quad- 
rupled, and then doubled again. With the 
birth of the automobile the demands on the 
bridge grew by leaps and bounds. In 1901 
trolley tracks were laid across the old abut- 
ments, and today not only do the cars of the 
Schenectady Railway Company use the bridge, 
Init the great, modern interurban cars of the 
Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Railway 
add to tlie density of the trafiic. The old struc- 



31 



lure was not strong enough to meet the de- 
mands of modern traffic, as it had already been 
restricted to loads of four tons, and a new 
superstructure was necessary to carry this 
greater weight of these two widely-used in- 
terurban lines. 

There are two great projects that are linked 
together in the minds of the residents of New 
York State. < )ne of these is the Barge Canal, 
now rapidly nearing completion, which, when 
finished, will revolutionize commerce through 
the low water rates that will be possible, 
added to the fast freight service which is al- 
ready provided for. The second is the Deeper 
Hudson project, which embodies the deepen- 
ing of the Hudson River from New York to 
the head of naxigation for large boats, a plan 
that has alreay received the endorsement and 
support of the best United States' engineers, 
and which, it is believed, will be an accom- 
plished fact within the next few years. 

There has been located in Schenectady by 
the state engineers what will be one of the 
largest Barge Canal terminals in the state. 
This will of necessity make Schenectady one 
of the most important ports in the entire state, 
for, according to the Barge Canal statisticians, 
Schenectady will rank next to the city of 
Buffalo in the amount of tonnage and in the 
value of the products which she will ship 
over the Barge Canal. Inseparably linked 
with the Barge Canal and Deeper Hudson 
projects is the plan for the Great Western 
Gateway bridge across the Mohawk at Schen- 
ectady. It is proposed to erect a structure 
running from the foot of lower State Street, 
Schenectady, across the islands in the Mohawk 
River, crossing the Barge Canal and Barge 
Canal terminals, the Mohawk River and over 
to the highlands of Scotia, a bridge that will 
forever lift the tide of travel above the flood 
conditions which mark every recurring spring, 
and which will forever eliminate any inter- 
ruption of traffic in this end of the Mohawk 
X'alley. 

This bridge will do more than that — it will 
open up to tiie entire Mohawk \'alley a hither- 
to undeveloped avenue of commerce that will 
bring the merchants, the manufacturers and 
the farmers for fifty miles up the valley with- 
in easy trucking distance of Schenectady and 
the splendid shipping facilities that will then 
mark this city. The thousand's of farmers 
in eastern New York will find that they have 
a ready market for their produce in Schen- 
ectady; they can take advantage of the cheap 
water rates and put their butter, eggs and 
produce on a fast freight truck today with the 
knowledge that it will be on sale in New York 
the next morning. Scores of merchants are 
already availing themselves of this quick 
method of shipping freight, and with the 
new bridge spanning the Mohawk River, it 
will open up new markets and new posibilities 
in the line of agricultural and business de- 
velopment hitherto undreamed of. 

Tlie value to any community of a bridge 
connecting different sections and making 
transportation and the shipping of products 
easy of accomplishment, cannot be over-esti- 



mated. The city of New York has spent 
millions of dollars in conecting Manhattan 
Island with Brooklyn and New Jersey. The 
numerous bridges, and these together with the 
Hudson River tubes, have been responsible 
for the marvelous development that has 
marked the last decade in New York's history. 
Eliminate these bridges and New York be- 
comes an island, only to be reached by ferries 
or by steam train. At this time a plan is 
being considered to build a bridge from the 
upper portion of New York across to New 
Jersey at a cost of about $30,000,000, which 
will be borne by both states. These facts 
give some slight idea of the commercial and 
industrial value which these structures have. 
It is for this that Schenectady is planning 
this great structure. She is looking to the 
future, and the ne.xt decade will see .Schenec- 
tady a metropolis of 125.000 people. Judg- 
ing the future by the past, if the marvels that 
Schenectady has shown during the last twenty 
years shall continue for the next two decades, 
Schenectady will have a jjopulation in 1934 
of very nearly Joo,000 people. This bridge 




Scotia Bridije 

is planned not for the next twenty years, but 
for the ne.xt 100 years. It will stand at the 
entrance of the Alohawk Valley, as it will 
stand at the entrance of the Electric City, a 
beautiful structure, typifying the progress that 
has lifted Schenectady out of the sleep of 200 
vears into the most marvelous commercial and 
industrial development of any city in the 
entire state. 

The traveler in Europe notices among the 
first objects of interest the beautiful bridges 
which have been scattered with a lavish hand 
all over the continent, bridges that have cost 
millions of dollars, 1)Ut which have more than 
repaid the initial cost by the rapid develop- 
ment of the great arteries of commerce hither- 
to unexplored to which they lead. They thus 
serve a double purpose, serving not only to 
develop sections which they connect and bind 
together, but they are the delight of architects 
and artists all over the world. 

We believe that within the next few years 
the traveler who enters the Mohawk Valley 
from the east will find as he leaves Schenec- 



32 



tadv a ln.'aulilul liri(lj;c, thai will be a luoiui- 
iiK-iU Id till.' progress of the city; which will 
si.T\ f as an unlraiK-c across the Mohawk 
KixcT iiiln iIk' hcauliful Mohawk X'allev, rich 
in historic incniorics. hill richer still in ihc 
enthusiasm of iieople who, by industry ami 
progress, have made this section one of the 
most important commercial and industrial 
sections of the entire state. 



11 11:1 DEEPER HUDSON 

With the completion of the State Barge 
Canal now in sight, Schenectady business men 
are taking a keen interest in the Deeiier Mud- 
son project, and may be counted upon to give 
their liearty support to this movement, which 
is of \ery great importance to the city's man- 
ufacturing and shipping interests. 





Jawcs C. McDonald 
Coiiiiiiissioiicr, Board of Claims 



Attirnev L. 



King 




Henry S. l>c l-or.:^l 
Former Congresstnan 



James H. Callanan 
Pres. Schenectady Union Pub. Co. 



33 










The Mynderse; A. L. Stevens, Prop. 



The Seneca; A. L. Stevens, Prop. 



34 




The IllKiiiiiKiHiin BuiUling— Offices of the Schenectady lUuminjtiiin C,:. aiiJ the }L>lui:ek (lax C 





The Livingston: A. L. Stevens, Prop. 



Bachelors Hall; A. L. Stevens, Prof. 



35 



INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL 




Genera! Electric Coml^aiiy's Plant 



No. 



THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY 

It was in 1892 that the Edison General 
Electric Company and the Thomson-Houston 
Company were united to form the General 
Electric' Company, with headquarters in 
Schenectady, where the first-named of these 
organizations had then been located for six 
years. 

With the establishment of its main office 
at Schenectady, the business of the General 
Electric Company began to grow at a wonder- 
ful rate. To handle economically the in- 
cteased business, new shops were built, im- 
proved machinery was installed, and both 
office and factory systematized to a high de- 
gree. From this time on the policy of the 
company was ever to keep the factory equip- 
ments and methods up to such a high stand- 
ard that all orders, whatever their magnitude, 
could be filled with dispatch and thorough- 
ness. 

Building No. 10 and about half of what is 
now building No. 12 constituted the original 
factory of the Edison Company in 1886. From 
this beginning the Schenectady plant has en- 
joyed a wonderful growth. It is now the 
company's largest and best-equipped plant, 
with a total ground area of 335 acres, a total 
floor space of nearly 5,000,000 square feet, or 
about 115 acres. Nearly 20,000 people, the 
population of a city, find employment within 
its gates. The largest building is 205 feet 
wide, 800 feet long and has a total floor space 
of 400,000 square feet. Besides this mam- 
moth factory building there are about fifty 
other large buildings and nearly a hundred 
smaller buildings. The main ofiice of the 
company is a handsome structure seven stories 
high, and housing a force of nearly 2.000 
emplovees. Other offices are scattered 
throughout the plant in touch with the man- 
ufacturing end. 

The Schenectady plant is mainly devoted to 
the manufacture of the largest electrical ap- 
paratus. Some idea of the capacity of the 
works may be obtained from the following 
statement of production for the year 1912: 

Kw. 
No. Capacity 
Generators and motors.... 3,222 835.600 

Steam turbines 106 399,000 

Induction motors i5.4ii 575.000 



Compensators 18,391 

Railway motors 4^83 

Projectors ^13 

Air compressors 2,886 

Switchboard panels 1 1,859 

Mining locomotives 3^2 

\\iring supi)lies. .. 19,268,300 pieces 

Installed -in the plant are approximately 
9.500 machine tools, 210 traveling cranes, and 
7.000 motors, which, for the most part, drive 
individual machines. More than 3,000 arc 
and hundreds of Mazda lamps are used to 
light the buildings and grounds. There are 
two power stations, with a total normal capa- 
city of 20,000 kilowatt. In addition to this, 
water power can be drawn upon to an extent 
of 10,000 kilowatts. 

Perhaps the most important product of the 
Schenectady plant is the Curtis steam turbo- 
generator. In the great turbine shop are 
built steam turbine-generators ranging in 
capacity from 400 to 35,000 horsepower. 

A great many novel processes are carried 
on at the plant. ' Perhaps the most interesting 
of these are the porcelain works ; the rubber 




Charles Proteus Slelnnictc. Chief Consulting 
Bn<iineer of the General Electric Company; 
Professor of Electrical Engineering 
of Union University 



36 




Research Luhoi-atorx 



works, where the crude rubber is worked up 
into insulating material and formed as a cov- 
ering to the conducting wires; the enameling 
and lacquering rooms ; the manufacturing of 
various insulating materials ; the wire and 
cable department, and many others just as in- 
teresting. 

In the new research laboratory a large statf of 
engineers, chemists, scientists and assistants 
conduct the greater part of the experimental 
work which is so valuable to the company and 
so important to the world in general. The 
laboratory is one of the best, if not the best, 
of any commercial laboratory in the business 
world. 

A distinctive development of the laboratory 
is the new wire-drawn metal filament Mazda 
lamp, which gives three times the light of 
the old carbon incandescent lamp. 

A corps of chemists and physicists, and 
other technical experts, in the research lab- 
oratory, are engaged in constant original in- 
vestigation and are in close touch with the 
great experimental and technical laboratories 
of the world. . 

The streets throughout the Schen-ctady 
plant throb with life and activity. Electric 
engines are pulling loads of machinery from 
building to building: emplovees are hurrying 
about; horses and, automobiles help to make 
it appear like a busy city. Building after 
building is devoted to the manufacture of 
motors and generators. In one of these, sev- 
eral of the largest induction motors in the 
world. 6,000 horsepower machines, were 
turned out for the Indiana .^teel Company, at 
Gary, Ind. 

In the turbine building the Curtis steam 
turbo-generators are built. This immense 



shop has over ele\ en acres of floor space un- 
der one roof. Here the mammoth turbine 
generators, the largest of which are capable 
of deli\ ering 50,000 horsepower from a single 
unit, are built and erected. During the year 
ic>ii turbo-generators of an aggregate capa- 
city of nearly 500,000 horsepower were sold 
for use in this country, England, Germany, 
.'^outh Africa, Cuba, Mexico, Japan, Brazil, 
New Zealand, Siam, Peru and Spain. 

One of the largest buildings is devoted to 
the construction and equipment of electric 
lomotives. The types of electric locomotives 
made there are similar to those now in use on 
the New York Central & Hudson River Rail- 
road and other steam roads recently partially 
or wholly electrified. 

The brass foundry gives constant employ- 
ment to upwards of 150 men. Healthful 
working conditions, as well as the use of im- 
]iro\ ed n.achinery, combine to bring about the 
most efficient production. 

The iron foundry contains a floor area of 
about 180.000 scjuare feet, and there are in 
addition numerous sheds for the storing of 
foundry supplies, of sand, coke, etc. The 
weekly output is at present about 600 tons 
of finished castings. 

The switchboard department now employs 
over I .Soo men and occupies over 100.000 
square feet of floor space. Complete switch- 
boards, in size from the single panel board 
for isolated power stations, to the controlling 
apparatus for control stations of 50.000 kilo- 
watts capacity, are manufactured and assem- 
bled at the Schenectady works. 

More than a thousand women are employed 
in making sockets, switches, cut-outs, fuses, 
panel-boards anrl other wiring devices. The 



37 



lighting, ventilaling and other arrangements 
are sutn as to enable these employes to work 
under the most favorable conditions. 

The drafting department is probably the 
largest in the world. The making of the 
numerous drawings used in the manufacture 
of the company's wares is an industry in it- 
self. Nearly a thousand are employed at this 
work, including the draftsmen, and about 250 
clerks and stenographers necessary to handle 
the detail routine. An idea of the extent of 
this work is given in the figures for 191 1, 
when nearly 30.000 new drawings were made 
at the Schenectady plant. 34-71- drawings 
were changed. 9106 new small part drawings 
were made. 5.678 small-part drawings were 
changed, and 514 drawings were retraced. 

( )ne of the most conspicuous buildings at 
the plant is that for pattern storage. Nearly 
500.000 patterns are used in the foundry work 
at the plant. 

The General Electric Company's plant is 
really an industrial city, where nearly 20.000 
workers congregate each day. It has its own 
railway system, its fire and police system, 
restaurants, bus lines, and emergency hospital, 
postoffice and telegraph stations, and, in fact, 
nearly everything that a city of its own size 
can boast. Its buildings are of the most 
modern construction and design, and for the 
most part firejiroof. Concrete and steel are 
u:^ed largely in their construction. In, all 
buildings a sufficient number of exits are pro- 
vided and. as far as practicable, such exits 
are in outside towers or outside fireproof 
enclosures with automatic fire doors. Fire 
escapes are properly attached to all buildings 
requiring them. 



An innovation of the greatest importance 
to the employes was the establishment in 1913 
of a pension system which aims to care for 
the disabled and infirm who have reached ad- 
vanced years in the service of the company 
and have been employed continuously for a 
period of twenty years or more. 

The company does everything in its power 
to prevent accidents to its many employes. 
The various machines have been systemati- 
cally equipped with safety guards. At the 
."^chenectady i)lant there are approximately 
9.700 machine tools, of which 570 do not re- 
quire safety ajipliances. A force of men is 
constantly emjjloyed devising and applying 
guards to the other machinery. About 11.500 
guards have already been installed. 

In addition to this welfare work, the com- 
pany has always been liberal in giving finan- 
cial assistance to the various social and 
athletic activities conducted by the employes. 
A large sum was apropriated in 191 2 for the 
construction of a new home, now completed, 
for the Edison Club, which is composed most- 
Iv of young men employed as testmen or 
junior engineers. This building, in Washing- 
ton Avenue, near .State Street, provides a 
large auditorium, bowling alleys. l)illiard, card 
and smoking rooms, shower baths and 
lockers. This club forms a social center 
for members of the various engineering so- 
cieties of the city, whose membership is large- 
ly composed of General Electric employes. 

In addition to the Schenectady plant, the 
(ieneral Electric Company also maintains 
Inrge plants at Lynn and Pittsfield, Mass.; 
Harrison, N. J.; Erie. Pa.: Fort Wayne, Ind., 
and lesser plants at several other cities. 



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iriu-ii the iriuslU- Pl.'ZL's (It the Genera! Electrie JVorks 



38 




Coiiil^aiiy's Plant. 



AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY 

riie American Loconioti\e Company, which 
has its largest plant at Schenectady, owns and 
operates six plants, the others heing located 
at Dunkirk. K. Y. : Montreal, P. Q.; Rich- 
mond. \'a. : Paterson, N. J., and Pittsburgh. 
Pa. The general offices of the company are 
located in Xew York City, but the general 
drawing office for all plants is located at 
Schenectady. 

The Schenectady plant is able to manufac- 
ture any class of locomotive, but most of the 
smaller locomotives, such as contractors' en- 
gines, are built at Paterson. so that Schenec- 
tady handles the larger class of engines, being 
especially equipped for this work. In addi- 
tion to steam locomotives, the Schenectady 
plant manufactures the mechanical portion 
of electric locomotives, having two buildings 
devoted almost exclusively to this work, 
handling same in connection with the General 
Electric Compan\-. 

The plimt is complete, and manufactures 
from the raw material, buying only such si)e- 
cialties as may be required. It has a capacity 
of one hundred average locomotives per 
month when under full working conditions, 
and normally employing in the neighborhood 
of 5.500 men. 

The company has entered into the "Safety 
First" movement, and during the ]3ast few 
vears has spent large amounts of money in 
guarding and installing \arious devices for 
the protection of its men. 

It has also enabled the men to provide the 
Locomotive Club, which is located on the out- 
skirts of the city and n\erlooking the Mohawk 
River. The clubhouse is well equipped, hav- 



ing a large hall, billiard and pool tables, bowl- 
ing alleys, shower baths, etc. The grounds 
have been laid out with tennis courts, cricket, 
football and baseball grounds. The company 
has also been liberal in giving assistance to 
\arious organizations of Schenectady, ma- 
terially assisting the Ellis Hospital, the Y, M. 
C. A. 'and the Y. W. C. A. The officials of 
the company take a deep interest in Schen- 
ectadw her jjeople and city affairs. 

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES 

\\'ith respect to accessibility to materials 
anil markets and facilities for freight distri- 
bution, the location of Schenectady is espe- 
cially favorable for the development of small 
industrial enterprises; and these advantages 
are enhanced by satisfactory living and labor 
conditions. It follows as a natural result 
that, in addition to the two dominant indus- 
tries that have spread the fame of "made in 
Schenectady" products throughout the world, 
there are many other flourishing plants, rep- 
resenting widely diversified lines of manu- 
facturing operations, that are contributing 
factors in swelling the grand total of the city's 
factory output to the aggregate value of 
$60,000,000 per annum. 

Among the growing industries that add to 
the diversified character of Schenectady's 
niaiuifactures may be named the following: 

Bland .\djustable Frame Co. — Improved 
frames for advertising. 

Bell Polish Co. — Polish for automobiles. 

H. B. Chalmers Co. — \'arnish and paint 
removers. 

Graham Engraving Co. — Half-tones and 
zinc etchings. 



39 



Imperial Fireworks Co. 

International Fireworks Co. 

Kellam & Shaffer Co. — Mard wall plaster. 
finishes, outside stuccos, cut stone and 
masons' supplies. 

Loconioti\ e ."^toker Co. — I.o.-omotive 
stoker.s. 

Mica Insulator Co. — h'lectrical insula- 
tions, mica, niicanite. oiled cloths and 
papers. 

Mohawk X'alley l-'le.Kotile Co. 

Mohawk Clothing Co. — Clothing special- 
ties. 

Mohawk Gas Co. — Coke. 

Mohawk Stone Yards. 

Mynderse Bottling Works. 

National B:isel) dl Manufacturing Co. — 
Basehalls and inloor halls. 

Nicholaus, Louis — Xon-alcoholic liever- 
ages. 

Philli])s. Cadv S. — Broom machinery. 

Ramco Manufacturing Co. — Metal spe- 
cialties. 



Schenectady \'arnish Co. — \'arnishes, 
japans and enamels. 

Schenectady Wall Plaster Co. — Building 
plasters. 

."^clienectady Cast Stone Co. 

."Schenectady Firew'orks Co. 

Schenectady Tile Co. 

Schenectady Brick Co. 

S. R. Manufacturing Co. — (jas ent ines. 

Superior Printing and Box Co. 

W'e'.)er Electric Co. — Electrical supplies 
and specialties. 

W'estinghouse Company — Threshing ma- 
chines and farm implements. 

Wiederhold Co., John — Ladies under- 
wear. 

MERCANTILE 

."^chenectady's large department stores and 
other tstahlishments dealing in wearing ap- 
parel, household furnishings and art goods 
compare favorahly with those of any city in 
the land. There is no line of trade that is 




H. S. luinicy Ci'., Prf<artmenl Store 

40 



not rcpicsciUcd. 'I'lio slocks (lisi)layiHl im- 
press the visitor with tlie high quaUty of the 
merchandise, the wide range of choice oHered, 
the taste evidenced in design, the unqueslion- 
alilc up-to-dateness of styles and reasonalile- 
ness of ])rices. 'i'hese stores are directly 
managed hy men of ahilily and knowledge in 
their several lines, who keep in closest touch 
with the country's foremost designers and 
makers, on the one hand, and with the needs 
and preferences of their i^atrons on the other, 
llie city is also a wholesale market of im- 
portance. In hardware. vehicles. imple- 
ments, in groceries, confectionary and other 
lines an adequate depot of snpi)ly is fomid in 
.'^chenecl.-idy. 

MARKETS 

One of the most perplexing |iro!ilems he- 
fore municipalities of today is that of Ijring- 
ing the farmer and gardener ;ind the consum- 



ing puMic into as close relationship as ])OSsible. 
riiis jirolileni is solved in .Schenectady in so 
satisfactory a manner that the "high cost of 
living" has become a theory rather than a 
condition, and has little meaning to the aver- 
;ige householder. The country surrounding 
.'^chenectaily is one of the most productive in 
the .siati'. Ilie rich alluvial flats on either 
shore of the Mohawk yield every variety of 
foodstuffs known to the small fanner ,-ind 
market gardener, while the rolling hills fur- 
ther hack from the river afford vast grazing 
fields for the dairying industry, and beyond 
iIksc. again, stretch the broad acres of the 
well-tilled f.irms ])roducing grain and other 
large crops. ( )rchards on every hand bend 
their l)oughs in autumn under the weight 
of ripening fruit. Drawing supplies direct, 
and at first cost, from these several sources, 
.Schenectady has an unusually large number 
of retail markets serving the consumer at the 
most reasonable ])rices. These markets carry 




The IfjIUuc c-iiif. 

41 



lK-p,irll 




The M.ihiain Comfau^s :-. Ji.-iu, Uulv EslahlUhmenI 
Al 



everv class of t()cnlstuli'> in ilic choicest (|n;ili- 
ties, and in the ca^c of fruits, vegetables anil 
dairv proiUici-, witlioiu the deterioration 
arising from long distance shipments. Se\ - 
cral of the larger markets are so elaborate in 
their arrangements and (lis])Iay as to be \eri- 
table show places, itnsnrpasscd by any other 
citv. riie "high cost of living" has been at- 
tacked from another angle Ijy the municijjality 
in the establishment of a new ]niblic market, 
which occui)ies the open S(|uare at Hamilton 
and South L'cntre Streets. That this innova- 
tion is giining in f;i\ (.)r with the thrifty house- 
wi\cs. small ret;iilcr< .-in I street \ender-- is 
demonstrated b\ the lumilrcds who each 
iiioniing make their purchases from the nu- 
merous wagons ;ind stiniU ui the farmers 
that here otTer every sort of fruit. jMiultry .and 



farm and truck-garden produce. 'I'here is 
notlting more important in an industrial city 
tlian kee]>ing the price of foodstulYs as low 
as possible: and ."Schenectady's public market, 
after development, will undoubtedly be a 
strong force in establishing prices and a help- 
ful .igcncy in bringing the abundance of the 
farm^ cjiiect. and at a miniiuuiu cost for 
handling, to the market baskets of the more 
frugal vv.iue-earners of the city. 



(iiMii.i'.s Ki<i':iiioi''i':i( iiAKixc; CO. 

The pure food laws placed upon the .statute 
books as tile result of aroused public senti- 
luent have not been ditticult of enforcement in 
the plants of progressive manufacturers, whose 
enlightened self-interest has led them not only 



^^t^l 







^TEf <\m 




43 




E. D. Winterstcrn 


IVm. F. McMillan 


Conrad Goelz 


II. 


t lUihriH, Liter 


frank J. Eckel 


Dep'y Comptroller 


Assessor 


Com. of L harilies 




Assessor 


L ilv TrrnsKrer 



to niet-t the requirements of the law, but in 
many particulars to go further in the eftort 
to give the consumers foodstuffs of scientific 
purity and high nutritive value. In no branch 
of food production has greater progress in 
this direction been made than in the baking 
industry. An example in point is found in 
Schenectady in the new automatic bakery of 
the Charles Freihofer Baking Co. 

Situated on Albany Street, near Brandywine 
Avenue, in an attractive and healthful en- 
vironment, far removed from the congested 
districts of the city, this extensive plant is one 
of the most thoroughly modern bakeries in 
the country. In its construction every con- 
sideration has been given to lighting arrange- 
ments, ventilation, cleanliness and every mi- 
nute detail making for the best obtainable 
sanitary conditions. 




Frank A. Frciltofcr 

Head of the Charles Freihofer Baking Company's 

Schenectady Establishment 

Equipped witli special electrically controlled 
machinery, the hand of man does little here, 
and almost every process in the making of 
bread is done by mechanical devices that in- 
sure a product of uniform excellence. High- 
grade flours are used and are automatically 
weighed and blended. In the mixing room, 
the outside atmosphere is admitted only in a 
filtered condition, purified by being passed 



through water. The proi)er tenipe.ature for 
mixing is obtained by an improved system of 
heating and refrigeration, and is maintained 
by a mechanism that so controls the heat and 
moisture that the best atmospheric conditions 
exist at all times. Thus, with choicest ma- 
terials used in exact formulas, treated scien- 
tifically, kneaded by machinery, the snow- 
white loaves are passed into the most modern 
automatic ovens. The raw loaf enters at one 
end and comes out at the other end baked. 
These ovens are called traveling ovens, and 
there are only six bakeries in the United States 
so equipped, and the Freihofer Company were 
the first to install them. Absolute uniformity 
of heat is maintained. From the ovens the 
"pan" loaves are conveyed to an automatic 
wrapping machine, where, by an ingenious 
device, they are wrapped in heavy waxed 
paper and sealed, to prevent any contamina- 
tion with dirt and dust. The "French" bread, 
where the aim is to get a rich, brittle crust, 
cannot be so wrapped, because it must have 
ventilation, but is encased in speciall)--niade 
paper bags. In short, the most improved 
hygenic methods are adhered to in every pro- 
cess both of manufacture and delivery. This 
bakery is not only a step forward in the bak- 
ing of bread, but to the City of Schenectady. 
The completion of this splendid, modern, 
sanitary plant in Schenectady marks the con- 
sumation of long cherished plans of Mr. 
Charles F. Freihofer to provide for each of 
his three sons a baking plant comparable in 
every respect to the parent establishment in 
Philadelphia. These plans found their partial 
fulfilment in the erection and equipment of 
the large plants in Albany and Troy, and their 
operation under the management of his elder 
sons, Edwin H. and Charles C. Freihofer, 
respectively. The Schenectady plant is ably 
and systematically managed by the third 
son. Frank A. Freihofer. The Charles Frei- 
hofer Baking Company is incorporated under 
the laws of the State of New York, and is 
owned wholly by the elder Mr. Freihofer and 
his three sons. 

CARNRICK BROS. 

One of the food manufacturing institutions 
that has long been successfully operated in 



44 






IF. PmH WcUct 

Deputy City 

liiiijuii'cr 



II A. Varrcll 

CU'i-h of Board of 

Stit'-'y^'isors 



Dennis Mahar 

Clerk of Board of 

Assessors 



G. C. Wartmann 

Sec. Bd. Contract 

and Supply 



ir. n. Goodale 

Superintendent 

jf Parks 



Schenectady is the lircail baking estalilish- 
men of Carnrick Bros. Its development has 
proceeded steadily in response to the daily 
increasing demands for the product of lis 
ovens. The ])lant of this concern is modernly 
equipped in every respect and the process of 
manufacture is the most eflncient known in 
the baking industry. Flours tested for color, 
gluten, strength and fineness are blended and 
scientifically mixed with other ingredients 
bv electrically controlled machinery. After 
moulding and "proofing," the loaves are baked 
in large o\ens of the most approved construc- 
tion. In every department thorough-going 
provisions are made for the maintenance of 
scrupulous cleanliness and the best sanitary 
conditions. 

XATIO-\Ab BASKB.VI.I. M.VIVUFACTURIIVG CO. 

As the home of the National Baseball Man- 
vifacturing Company. Schenectady is a factor 
in our great national sport. This concern, of 
which Mr. John Allen is president, is under 
the management of Mr. J. H. Grady. Its 
product consists of high-grade baseballs and 
indoor balls. The present plant has a capacity 
for making over 5,000 baseballs each day, and 
the company contemplates increasing this 
capacity in order to take care of the con- 
stantly growing business. Practically the 
only operation in which machinery does not 
play a part is in the sewing of the covers. 
This is all done by hand. 

The company sends the cheaper grades of 
balls out among the homes in the city and sur- 
rounding districts to be sewed, thus employ- 
ing over 400 families. The higher ))riced balls 
are sewed in the factory by experienced men 
in this line, the League ball stitchers com- 
manding very high wages. 

Although only five years in business, the 
company's product is becoming, well known 
and has a large field for distribution, ship- 
ments being made to Canada, the Hawaiian 
and Philippine Islands and all parts of the 
United States. The product is known as the 
Allen line, and has gained considerable pres- 
tige as the Allen Official League ball, which 
is being recognized more each season as the 
highest standard quality league ball made. 



THF. PAXOX CO., liVC;. 

( )ne of the unique enterprises of the Elec- 
tric City is The Faxon Co., Inc., leather em- 
porium, where the famous Faxon harness is 
manufactured. In addition to its manufac- 
turing operations, the company carries articles 
of leatherware in endless variety. In its 
Schenectady store, as well as in its mammoth 
Albany establishment, no better or more ex- 
tensive stocks of guaranteed trunks, bags and 
suitcases and countless articles in the finest 
leather are to be found between New York 
and Chicago. While specializing in leather- 
ware, The Faxon Co.. Inc.. is a recognized 
headquarters for articles in beautiful ivory, 
rich mahogany and other lines of novelties, of 
domestic and foreign manufacture ; for re- 
liable gloves of the best English and .\mcrican 
m \kes. walking sticks and umbrellas, anto 
robes and blankets. In the company's leather 
repair department automobile loi)s :irc also 
made. The Faxon goods bear the trade mark 
"always reliable." and measure up to it ; a 
fact which, taken in connection with the com- 
pany's large stocks and progressive methods, 
have placed The Faxon Co., Inc., in the com- 
mercial position it occupies today. 

IN'TER.XATIOXAL, MIl.K PRODVCTS CO. 

A large plant and retail department of the 
International Milk Products Company is lo- 
cated in Schenectady, and from its inception 
has been one of the city's most successful in- 
dustries in its line. The International obtains 
its milk and cream direct from its own dairy 
farms ; and all of the ingredients entering into 
its ]-)roducts are prepared in the company's 
plants or under the supervision of its experts. 
In addition to its rapidly increasing produc- 
tion of ice cream and other frozen dainties, 
the "International" brand of dairy products — 
butter, cream cheese and many other varieties 
of cheese — have gained a wide reputation for 
purity and uniform excellence of quality. 

THE JERSEY ICE CREAM COMPANY 

A Schenectady business enterprise that has 
grown to very large proportions is the Jersey 
ice Cream Company. Employing only the 
best grades of materials — rich cream, fresh 
fruits and extracts of the first quality, and 
having a plant with modern, sanitary equip- 



43 



ment— the product of tliis concern enjoys high 
favor ill the lionies and restaurants of the city, 
and finds a large market in neighboring towns' 
The normal capacity of the plant is 1.800 
gallons of ice cream encli day of ten hours, 
but m the Inisy season this quantity is greatly 
exceeded. 




MfP'- Mctwintilc Adjuslmcitl Co. 




Miunuici' " 
and Del 



A'. J, lit 

Q-I<j" Mcssciiyer 



GR.VH.IM K\<;iSVVIX<; COMPAXY 

Photo-engra\ ing is worthily represented in 
Schenectady by the (irahaiu fuigraving Com- 
pany, launched something over a year a^o 
by \\ alter E. Cirahani. whose long experience, 
thorough teclmical skill and comprehensive 
grasp of the scientific phases of his pro- 
fession are given double value by the keen 
interest he takes in his work. The Graham 
plant has facilities for the execution of orders 
for every variety of commercial half-tones 
zmc etchmgs and color work. By the test of 
excellence of performance, progress in his 
occupation and enlarged service to the com- 
munity. Mr. Graham has. unquestionablv. 
achieved pronounced success, both from tlie 
artistic and commercial viewpoints. 



MERCAXTILE .VUjr.STNE.XT COMP.VXY 

Under the management of .Mr. Chester J. 
A\oodiii. the .Mercantile .\djustment Co. has 
iniilt up an enviable reputation in the com- 
nninity for quick results and fair dealing in 
the collection business. The company has 
passed the experimental stage and has won the 
distinction of being the first concern of its 
kind to operate on a successful basis in 
Schenectady. In addition to collecting old 
accounts, the company, through its Credit Ex- 
change, affords the merchants and profes- 
sional men of the city and \icinity an effective 
means of eliminating the great amount of un- 
satisfactory credits that accumulate annually. 
This \aluable adjunct to the company's serv- 
ice renders accurate and up-to-the-minute 
credit reports on firms and individuals. These 
reports embody not only subjects of financial 
and credit standing, but include information 
on a\erage earnings, exiienditures. and the 
like. The business houses of Schenectady 
were quick to realize the necessity for, and 
e.xctllence of. the service of the Mercantile 
-Adjustment Company, with the result that it 
now has on its books, as clients, the foremost 
business and professional men of the city. 

••949" SERVICE 

To the .*->chenectadian the numliers "949"' 
have special significance. They stand for an 
enterprise that has become an indispensable 
agency of convenience in the household econ- 
omy, in social life and in all lines of the city's 
business activities. Under the ca])able man- 
agement of Mr. L. R. .Ault. the "<)49" messen- 
ger ser\-ice has been developed to a high de- 
gree of efficiency and the business has been 
expanded to include an auto parcel and trunk 
delivery department, in which a number of 
speedy motor vehicles are employed. As the 
result of the promptness and reliability with 
which deliveries are made by this branch of 
the "949" service, the demands upon it are 
constantly growing. 



A glance at the map will suggest cogent 
reasons why Schenectady is a trading and 
manufacturing city oft'ering big opportunities. 
A visit to Schenectady will reveal the reasons 
for its remarkable growth and the certaintv 
of its de\elopmeiit. 



-An ini])ortant jiart in the field of .Schenec- 
tady's charitable and philanthroi)ical activitv 
is effectively covered by the ( )ld T.adies' 
Home. Children's Home, the Day Xursery and 
the (Jlenridge Sanatorium. 



Schenectady is located on Xew York's 
greatest artery of automobile travel— the 
Albany-Buffalo route. .Any "ideal tour" must 
mclude a stop at Schenectadv to really be an 
ideal tour. 



.Start in Schenectady and then spread out- 
a right start and a logical result. 



46 




Diiytoii Engraving Company 



THE D.V\TOX EXGRAVirfG COMPAXY 

Schenectady's society folk do not ha\ e to 
send to other cities their orders for engraved 
announcements, invitations and visiting cards. 
or for monogram dies. They can have all 
such orders executed in Schenectady, at a 
great saving of time, by the Dayton Engrav- 
ing Company, which has a plant fidly equip- 
ped for engraving, plate printing and die 
embossing, both for society and business uses. 
Founded several years ago by John J. B. Day- 
ton, this ])rogressive firm has Imilt up a solid 
reputation for doing work of the highest 
quality. Its business has. in consec|uence. 
shown a rapid growth, and is now widely ex- 
tended throughout Xew York and adjoining 
states: over fifty agencies having been estab- 
lished in Xew York. Massachusetts and Ohio 
during the present year. 

PVBI.ISHIXG -VXD PRIXTIXG IXDUSTRIES 

The ( 'lazette Press. Union-.Star Press, Xew- 
l'ind-\'on Ritter Co.. The Commercial Press. 
Mohawk \'allev Publishing Co.. Schenectady 
Herold. Citizen Pulilishing Co. ."superior 
Printing and Box Co.. The Maqua Co.. Sauer 
Brothers. Wm. Snell. Garry \\'. \'an \'ranken. 
Schenectady Leader. Schenectady Art Press. 
Roy B. Myers, G. Canzani. Gazeta Tygod- 
niowa, Eagle Printing and Binding Co.. Day- 
ton Engraving Co.. Crowe Pttblishing Co.. 
Heck & Unseld. 

NEWSPAPERS 

Schenectady Gazette. Schenectady Union- 
Star. Knickerbocker-Press, Sunday Telegram. 
The Peoples' Press, Quacker Street Review. 
Concordiensis. Schenectady Leader, Schenec- 
tady Ilerold. Mohawk Thai Post. The Citizen, 
Das Deutsche Journal. Gazeta Tygodniowa, 
La Stampa. L'Osservatore. Saturday Globe. 



THE H. B. CH-Vl.MERS CO. 

Sustained superiority, the result of unre- 
laxed progress, has distinguished the product 
of The H. B. Chalmers Co. from the begin- 
ning of its manufacturing operations. It is 
difticult to speak of this flourishing Schen- 
ectady concern without straying into paths of 
advertising — here forbidden — for the name of 
the firm at once suggests the name of its pro- 
duct — "Chalco." the practical, economic suc- 
cess that has become a household word and a 
standard trade designation for the most ef- 
fecti\e paint and varnish remover now in use. 
The industry was founded in 191 1 by Mr. 
H. B. Chalmers, the pioneer in this field, and 
the success of the enterprise was soon estab- 
lished. "Chalco" w^as patented in 1913, and 
its decided merit in the two essentials of 
economv and etticiency has won for it a prac- 
tical monopoly in all markets demanding the 
best product in this line. The business of the 
companv has shown a constant growth from 
the time of its inception. 




Store of Julius Eger, Florist 



47 




Thomas H. Welch, Suft. 
Garbage Disposal Plant 




C. C. McWilliams 
Supt. Water Works 



W. ir. Chadscy 
Dcp. Com. of Piihlii.- Works 



Wilt. C. .Shopman 
Supt. Bureau of Seu<ers 





First Assistant Corporation Counsel 
Stephen A. Wolongiewicc 

48 



Chas. H. Hardstock 
Building Inspector 





/)r. rito,i,a< C.niirv 
Maj.. Xali,nuil Cuard X. Y. 




Harry W. Crcr/irr 
Cuiiiity SuM. of Hiiilrways 



'J'h.imas I:. llaini/:in 
Mayor's Secretary 




M. J. Rosa 
Coil Illy Treasu rer 




U'oller C Kohiiisou 

Pres. Mercy Hospital: Caj^taiii, Xational 

Guard. X. y. 






A. T. G. Wemfh 

Sec. to Commissioner 

Public Works 




Henry R. Yates 
Chief of Fire Dept. 



Prof. James J. Kilgallen 
Of the Kilgallen Dancing Academy 



James W. Rynex 
Chief of Police 



49 




.^l.wart Wcsscls Win. H. Uunleavy 



Suf'criisrir 
iriii. H Smith 

50 



.Vii/Trr'i'.rnr .4 hi c nil an 

Albert L. Stcicns Edward J. Acker 





Milton n. Pr J-„c 
.■hl.inu-y 



(;,■... ;( / ,,i//(,M/,.r- 

IlllKl/ll It 

Asst. District Atlonwy 




Countv .'Uti'iiirv 
A. S. Golden 






L. Rodman Xichols 
Architect 



]. Franklin Kilmer 
Attorney 



Arthur J. White 
Photographer 




Chemist 
Dr. Bradley H. Kirschberg 



Harry A. Engle 
President, Trades Assembly 



51 




"««■ 



iii.it 





i_ 



//■.•(/./,-:lvv Huihliii;! 




Tiiiusnii cind Plunk Fuilciiiig 

52 



SCHENECTADY BOARD OF TRADE 



In the sCM-ii yiar-- n\ 'n> ciirpuratc e.\i>lL-iKe 
the Scheiiectaily I'.nanl of Trade has achieved 
gratifviiifj lesuhs in the aLVoniiilishment of 
the main purposes i()nieni]ilaled in its organ- 
ization, as detined in its h\ law s tlie de\elop- 
ing, fostering and proteeting of the commer- 
cial, manufacturing and retail husiness in- 
terests, hv joint and conccrteil action, and the 
promotion of the general welfare of the city. 
Its secretary and his associate otficers are 
fully cognizant nf the fict that the work of 
the Hoard cannot he c<inrnK-d to the attempted 
solution of husiness prohlems exclusively; 
that tile i>romotion of business and manufac- 
turing, the municipal affairs and the social- 
civic betterment movements are so inter- 
dependent, and so react one upon the other, 
that the scope of the I'.oard's activities must 
progress along constantly broadening and ex- 
tending lines. Recognizing that these are 
times of sharp competition among progressive 
cities, it has been earnest and forceful in its 
advocacy of feasible plans for civic advance- 
ment and public improxement tending to make 
Schenectady a better place in which to li\ c and 
earn a living. Moreover, with a full under- 
standing that its superior advantages will count 
for little in the outside world unless they are 
forcibly presented and widely published, the 
Board is at all times on the alert for oppor- 
tunities to place before the business men of 
the country the city's favorable location for 
business and manufacturing development and 
its attractiveness as a place of residence. 

The Board of Trade has a membership of 
about five hundred, and it is the aim of the 
secretary and other ofticers to enlist the per- 
sonal interest of the whole of its enrollment 
in carrying out specific working plans insuring 
the highest efficiency in every department of 
its varied activities. 

The president of the Board is Mr. James 
F. Hooker, Comptroller of the City of Schen- 
ectady. Mr. Hooker is a graduate of Yale 
University, a member of the New York Bar, 
and has had a wide experience in the indus- 
trial world, in positions of executive respon- 
sibility. During his administration his efforts 
have been directed toward the goal of welding 
the membership into a cohesive and effective 
organization, having a full realization of its 
responsibility in every phase of city building. 

The secretary of the Board is Mr. Horace 
W. Raymond. A native of the town of Nor- 
folk. St. Lawrence County. New York, edu- 
cated at the Norwood High School and Al- 
bany Business College. Mr. Raymond has 
been a resident of Schenectady since 1891. 
For more than ten years he was in the em- 
ploy of the General Electric Company. 
Leaving the company in 1904 to accept the 
position of Deputy Comptroller of the City 
of Schenectady, he continued to discharge the 
duties of that office during the six succeeding 
years. In 1910 he had charge of the United 
States census for the Citv and Countv of 



.SchencctaiK . After the completion of this 
work he entered tlu- insurance business as the 
senior member of the firm of Raymond-Rob- 
inson Comi)any, ,ind has since remained an 
active p irlncr in that organization. In .March. 
ii;i3. .\lr. Uaymond was chosen secretary of 
the i'>oard of 1 rade to fill the vacancy caused 
bv the resign ition of Mr. W. 11. Reed: was 
re-elected in ( ictobcr (it that year, and again 
in October. ii)i4. for the ensuing year. Mr. 
Raymond is a life memlier of .St. ( ieorge 
Lodge Xo. 0. h". ;jul .V. M.: a life member of 
.St. (ieorge Cha))ter. and a ineiuber of .St. 
( Ieorge Council and Commandary ; a life luem- 
ber of .Scottish Rite bodies; a thirty-second 
degree Mason. Trov and Albany, and a mem- 
ber of the ( )rienlal Temi)le, .Mystic Shrine, 
Trov. anil of St. Paul's !.().( ).'l'.. Schenec- 
tady. 

Secretary Raymontl's broad concei)tion of 
the duties of his office and of the functions 
of the Board of Trade is reflected in his an- 
nual report for the current year. After sum- 
marizing the accomplishment of the several 
cnnunittces with respect to the revision of the 
housing code, flood prevention, new indus- 
tries, the western gateway bridge project, and 
various important trade matters, 'Sir. Ray- 
mond says, in part : 

"The functions of the Board of Trade are 
not onlv to secure new industries, but care- 
fullv to watch over and protect the interests 
of those industries now established in the city, 
and to lend them every assistance for their 
welfare and further growth. Also to exercise 
a general supervision, non-political, over the 
aff'airs of the community in general, to strive 
lovallv and with zeal for a cleaner, better, 
more wholesome city in every way. 

"We nuKst strive, and we are striving, to 
keep our trade at home, and to induce the 
people in neighboring towns to do their trad- 
ing here, rather than in other places. A good 
start has been made to induce the state to 
l)uild the western gateway over the Mohawk. 
This needed impro\ement will come in time, 
and will not only beautify our city, but will 
also tend to bring here a large transient trade. 

"At this time there is a severe business de- 
pression throughout the country, and so. even 
more than in the days of prosperity, the 
Board of Trade must work and strive for the 
best interests of the city and its members. 

'T shall give of my best to the work of the 
Board. I very deeply appreciate the splendid 
assistance given me by the members during the 
past year, and. relying on their continued 
assistance and support, I pledge my earnest 
eft'orts to the continued upbuilding of the 
Board of Trade and of Schenectady." 

The other officers of the Board of Trade 
are: M. F. Westover, first vice-president; 
William Dalton, second vice-president ; Jo- 
seph H. Clements. Jr.. third vice-president, 
and H. B. Boardman. treasurer. The Board's 
offices are at 246 State Street. 



53 



The People Who Made Possible "The Schenedadian' 



John Allen 

American Locomotive Co. 

Ailing Rubber Co. 

L. R. Ault 

Amsterdam Dairy Co. 

Samuel D. Ashley 

Albany Telegram 

C. Angchis 

H. S. Barnex Co. 

A. R. Brubacher 

R. E. Burger 

]]'. Garner Bee 

Charles Baum Estate 

Ball's Quick Shoe Repairing 

Henry C. Buhrmaster 

C. H. Benedict 

The Boston Store 

Brorcn & Lozve Co. 

E. H. Blanchard 

.4. T. Blessing 

Buell Sr McDonald 

Edzcin Clute 

Chadz^nck-McDonald Realty Co. 

Coffin Bros. 

C. B. Coffin 

Thomas R. Crane 

Echi'ard D. Cutler 

Joseph H. Clements, Sr. 

Dr. J. H. Collins 

H. W. Cregier 

ir. [r. Chads cy 

Dr. Thomas Carney 

Craig & Vrooman 

H. B. Chalmers Co. 

Clark cV McDonald 

Carnrick Bros. 

John J. Curry 

Cain &■ Dolan 

The Carl Co. 

James H. Callanan 

Dan .4. Donahue 

Henry S. DeForest 

.^Hlton E. DeVoe 

JP'illiam D. Dunn 

J. E. Divyer 

James A. Dolan & Co. 

John J. B. Dayton 

P. DeMarco 

Dickens Bros. 

John Dichl 

Carter T. DeFriest 

Edison Hotel 

Frank J. Eckel 

E.rcelsior Bottling JVorks 

Loucks 



Empire Laundry 
Julius JV. Eger 
The Electric Lunch 
J/'. F. Fitcgerald 
Daniel Flinn 
The Fa.roH Co., Inc. 
Harrv A. Furman 

B. A. Farrell 
Herman Freed 

Charles Freihofer Baking Co. 

Finch & Hahn 

M. F rum kin 

Joseph A. Field 

Fonda. Johnstown & Glorcrsville 

R. R. Co. 
Robert Glcnu, Jr. 

C. Goetz 

W. D. Goodale 
J. M. Gaffers 
E. A. Gasner 
S. Graubart 
Goodman's Bakcrx 
H. A. Gulick 
General Electric Co. 
James A. Goodrich 
Louis Henry 
James F. Hooker 
Willis T. Hanson 
IV. Stezcart Hamlin 
Thomas E. Hanigan 
Charles Heritage 
Charles H. Hardstock 
P. J. Hemmerling 
John F. Horman 

Hurd Boot Shop 

Hudson Valley Brezvcrs' Association 
John J. Healy, Jr. 

Hotel IVilson 

Dallas .'i. Hogan 

Ben S. Henry 

International Milk Products Co. 

Jersey Ice Cream Co. 

Dr. E. Holcomb Jackson 

C. Campbell James 

Knickerbocker Press 

Kellam & Shaffer Co. 

L. IV. Killeen 

Louis M. King 

H. L. Kelley 

S. Kleiman 

Prof. James J. Kilgallen 

J. Franklin Kilmer 

J. T. & D. B. Lyon 

Robert J. Landon 
& Ale.vander 



The People Who Made Possible "The Schenedadian" 



Uilliaiii B. Landrcth 
Lindsay Bros. Cu. 
Earnest //'. Mincluwr 
The Mohican Co. 

J. ir. Mills 

Madden Lumber Co. 

Mercantile . Idjiistinent Co. 

C. W. .\h'rriani 

George C. .\Joon 

Mitchell & Brown 

Otis C. Myers 

Mohawk Stone Yard 

I'ennis Mahar 

Meyer Mann 

//. .1. thinning Co. 

B. .1. Miller 

.1. J'edder Magee 

Dr. Charles G. McMullen 

Judge John J . McMullen 

C. C. MclCillianis 
ir. F. McMdlan 
/■'rank ^h•.Millan 
James C. McDonald 
Judge Daniel Naylon, Jr. 
L. Rodman Nichols 
Xational Base Ball Mfg. Co. 
Louis Xicholaus 

The N ewland-l' onRitter Co. 

7' he Xe-n' I'endome Hotel Co. 

Nicholans Model Storage 

Nicholaus Hotel 

Parker Building 

Patton <jr Hall 

John R. Parker 

James C. Parker 

Grant Parks 

John P. Patterson 

ir. H. Ouinn 

ILu-ace ll\ Raymond 

M. J. Rosa 

J. A. Rickard Co. 

James IV. Ryne.v 

IF. G. Robinson 

Robinson-Bradt Coal Co., Inc. 

Rankin cr Carey Coal Co. 

John E. Roger 

Gerardus Smith 

Albert L. Stei'cns 

J . Teller Schoolcraft 

Charles P. Steinmetz 

William H. Smith 

Judge Marvin H. Strong 

William C. Shopman 

Dr. James L. Schoolcraft 

G. F. Sauter 



J. R. Sheehan 

I-lenry L. Stern 

Marcus Saul 

Schenectady Public Market 

Schenectady Illuminating Co. 

Schenectady Railway Co. 

Schenectady Leader 

St. Clair Hotel 

The Staples Co. 

The Sauter Co. 

Schenectady Business School 

Schenectady Trust Company 

Schenectady Cassette 

The Schenectady IVall Plaster Co. 

Sterling Art Shop 

Schcnectadx Seed Co., Inc. 

A. Stathes ' 

Leivis B. Sebring 

Timeson & Fronk 

Carl Tornsten 

Fred Thalman 

E. Wilson Tuttle 

Union Paving Co. 

Sanford S. Van Denburgh 

G. JV. Van Vranken 

Judge Alexander M. Vedder 

E. JV. Feeder 

Vendome Hotel 

ir. Jl'. J Vent pie 

Wiune & McKain 

Jl'alter & Hedden 

Lyman J . Winter 

Arthur J. White 

T. Wilson 

Walkover Boot Shop 

Edward D. ll'intcrsteen 

Chester J. Jl^oodin 

Stewart 11 'essels 

G. Conrad IVartmann 

E. H. Westfall 

W. Earl Weller 

A.T.G. Wemple 

Walter Wellman 

John H. White 

White & Stcz'eus 

Wideman-Nile Garage 

Stephen A. Wolongiewic:; 

]V edgeway Building 

Fred J. Wessel, Jr. 

The IVallace Co. 

Charles IV. Williams 

H. E. Walker 

Henry R. Yates 

James W. Yelverton 

Zeiser & McGee 



m 



5£^ 



55 




Itch S. Henry, Maiutger of "The Schenecladiiui" 
Promoter of Coiisirui-'izc l'i(hlicily 




E. Wilson Tntllc. Editor of "The Schenectadian" ; 
Specializing in City and Industrial Literature 



56 



SCHENECTADY: BRIEF STATISTICAL SUMMARY 



Population growth : 

1900 U. S. Census 31,682 

1910 U. S. Census 72,826 

1912 Postal Census 84,916 

1913 Postal Census 94,784 

1914 Postal Census (including Annexed Territory 96,584 

1914 Estimated, at close of year 100,000 

Area of City, 5,075 acres; or, approximately, 8 square miles. 
Paved streets, 70 miles. 

Streets paved, graded or in process of improvement, 125 miles. 
Miles of watermains, 105; miles of sewers, 113. 

Parks, improved and in course of development, 4; with area of over 200 acres. 
♦Assessed valuation of property, $56,828,899. 
Banks — Two National, two Trust Companies, one Savings Bank. 
Total capitalization of banks, $600,000. 
Total surplus and undivided profits, $1,416,510.40. 
Total deposits, $17,676,301.69. 

Postal receipts, fiscal year ending June 30, 1914, $269,849.48. 
Number of wage-earners, nearly 30,000. 

Weekly payroll, under normal conditions, approaching $500,000. 
Value of factory output per annum, $60,000,000. 

Schools — Twenty-three Public, one High School, two Commercial, six Paro- 
chial Schools, and Union University. 
Enrollment of public schools, 13,520. 

Number of teachers, 453. 

Value of public school properties, $2,022,143. 

School budget, current year, $475,542.75. -^' 

Number of churches, 60. 
Transportation : 

New York Central Lines — main line and West Shore. 

Delaware & Hudson. 

Boston & Maine. 
Electric lines — Schenectady Railway Company and the Fonda. Johnstown & 

Gloversville Railroad. 
Two Hospitals. 
Public Library. 

Thoroughly efilcient Health, Police and Fire Departments. 
Sanitary Sewage and Garbage Disposal Plants. 
Clean streets — Beautiful homes — Attractive environment — Moderate rentals — 

Low living costs — ^Excellent stores — Many and diversified industries. 

•U. S. Government Statistics of Cities, Bulletin No. 126, July 30, 1914. 



INDUSTRIAL SITES 

In and near the city, along the railways and Barge Canal, many factory 
sites are available, and may be reached by switches from the main lines of the 
railroads or by short spur trackage therefrom. Schenectady offers greater 
economic facilities for the successful operation of industries of many kinds 
than any other location in the east. 

To manufacturers seeking the best possible location for their plants or dis- 
tributing_ agencies, the Schenectady Board of Trade will furnish fullest 
information regarding sites, railway statistics and market advantages. 



MADE IN 
SCHENECTADY 



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THE ELECTRIC CITY :: HOME OF WORLD- 
FAMOUS INDUSTRIES, PROGRESSIVE 
MERCANTILE HOUSES, STRONG, CONSER- 
VATIVELY MANAGED BANKS :: TRADING 
CENTER OF AN AREA EMBRACING A 
THRIVING POPULATION OF OVER HALF 
A MILLION :: A RECIPROCAL MARKET 
OF EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY 



For Further Information Address Secretary of the Board of Trade 



